January marks National Blood Donor Month, a reminder that many lives can potentially be saved so long as a constant supply of blood is available.

To commemorate this month of awareness and advocacy, 

 spoke with Rodney Wilson, Senior Biomedical Communications Specialist of American Red Cross, about the importance of donating blood and the barriers that are prevalent among communities.

 pandemic have undoubtedly been felt in the realm of healthcare in more ways than one. With lockdowns and restrictions in place and fears of the virus pronounced among individuals, blood donations and supply have seen a notable decline.

“When the pandemic hit, and as many people saw, life came to a halt,” Wilson said. “Many things, like churches and schools, closed—cancelled events. That had an inadvertent effect on the blood supply because these groups that would otherwise be open had planned to have blood drives.”

As such, thousands of venues operating as blood drives centers shuttered down all across the country.

To combat these immense challenges, the Red Cross has had to mobilize and work with various locations, including churches and sports venues, to reinstate centers.

Wilson also noted the particular hardships facing minorities and members of underserved communities, who are likely to have conditions (like 

) that require frequent blood transfusions.

He described the various ways the Red Cross has worked to meet the needs of hospitals and communities and ensure blood of all types and ethnicities are in constant supply.

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A spokesperson from American Red Cross discusses the importance of National Blood Donor Month and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Blood Donor Month: Meeting Unprecendented Challenges

 (ADHD) is crucial in the pursuit of new treatments and updated standards of care.

Unlike other psychiatry conferences where ADHD makes up only a portion of the agenda, during the 

American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2021 Annual Conference

Researchers from across the globe logged on to the virtual conference to share data and antidotes on ADHD and related diseases like autism and bipolar disorder.

One such researcher was Matthew Brams, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Cingulate Therapeutics, who presented new data from a phase 2 trial testing CTx-1301 as a viable treatment for adults with ADHD.

, the value of a conference and organization solely focusing on ADHD. He said ADHD is 1 of the most prolific and primary psychiatric diagnosis.

He also said providers have a chance to network with researchers in an intimate setting where everyone has a similar focus.

Brams also said another benefit of APSARD is the organization will work with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulation bodies overseas to promote advocacy for ADHD treatment and care, which is something the larger organizations don’t do as well.

Dr. Matthew Brams presented new data showing the efficacy of CTx-1301 for ADHD.

The Importance of an ADHD-Research Conference: Matthew Brams, MD

Researchers are touting a new treatment formulated in a new delivery system that shrinks the tablet, enabling researchers to put 3 doses of CTx-1301 into the size of 1 pill.

, researchers showed the drug can be effective treating 

, Matthew Brams, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Cingulate Therapeutics, and Shane Schaffer, PharmD, CEO of Cingulate, said the unique formulation could be a boost for treating ADHD over the course of a day.

Bram said most drugs on the market for ADHD work effectively, but the majority have a 8-12 hour duration. CTx-1301 contains an immediate pulse, a pulse 3 hours later, and a 20% proportion that is saved for 7 hours later.

This boost given 7 hours following taking the actual treatment limits the amount of pills needed and prevents a crash.Bram said around 60% of ADHD patients require a booster dose, but with it built right into the tablet it could drastically improve the quality of life of users.

In the phase 2 study, CTx-1301 demonstrated a statistically significant higher concentration (

<0.05) compared to Focalin XR from 9-16 hours in both low and high doses.

CTx-1301's formulation enables 3 different doses within 1 pill for ADHD.

Matthew Brams, MD: A Multidose ADHD Pill

New research presented on a poster during the 

 shows the value in CTx-1301 (dexmethylphenidate) as a beneficial treatment under fasted conditions for adult patients with 

In the randomized, single-dose, four-sequence, four-period, crossover study, a team of researchers compared the drug with Focalin XR in 45 adults with ADHD.

The researchers found the study drug exhibited similar systemic d-MPH exposure to the comparison drug for up to 8 hours following administration. Plasma concentrations at 15-16 hours for CTx-1301 were also similar to the comparison drug at 12 hours.

CTx-1301 demonstrated a statistically significant higher concentration (

<0.05) compared to Focalin XR from 9-16 hours in both low and high doses, while CTx-1301 is expected to have a similar onset of action as the comparison drug (30 minutes).

Overall, the CTx-1301 tablets showed a trimodal pharmacokinetic profile with fast onset, entire active-day duration. This shows the drug has the potential to minimize crash and rebound, while eliminating the need for booster doses.

, Matthew Brams, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Cingulate Therapeutics, and Shane Schaffer, PharmD, CEO of Cingulate, explained the results and what the plans are for a phase 3 trial.

Researchers are prepared a phase 3 trial testing the treatment in adults with ADHD.

Matthew Brams, MD: Positive Results for CTx-1301 for Adults with ADHD

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has changed the role of many across the spectrum of medicine, including psychiatrists.

Many of these clinicians must treat patients now dealing with enhanced feelings of stress, frustration, and self-concern, while also dealing with similar feelings for themselves.

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

, Elizabeth Ahmann, Research Director of the Springer Institute and Micah Saviet, Director of the Springer Institute, discussed how the role of the ADHD coach may not have changed much during the ongoing pandemic, but specific of what ADHD individuals need has shifted.

Ahmann said in the past a common issue for individuals with ADHD was getting to work on time. However, because of the massive shift to a work from home setting across the board, some of the current issues include how to manage the stress and potential distractions in working from home.

There are also differing challenges in terms of socialization and physical activity than there was prior to the pandemic.

However, overall coaches still need to be cognizant of how ADHD can impact the daily life of the individual.

The researchers recently presented data from a focus group on what is needed to improve ADHD coaching during the 

The role of many in psychiatry has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ADHD Coaching During COVID-19

As an emerging field, there is plenty of positives in the value of 

However, because it is emerging there still need to be some guidelines and best practices developed in how the ADHD coach is supposed to collaborate and communicate with other professionals, as well as the patient in striking the best balance needed to succeed.

Recently, a team of researchers presented data from an ADHD coaches focus group during the 

 showing that many in the field believe it is necessary to iron out some communication issues to better collaborate and aid the patient.

, Elizabeth Ahmann, Research Director of the Springer Institute and Micah Saviet, Director of the Springer Institute, explained the next steps needed to implement what has been learned into the field.

Ahmann said 1 thing that is needed is more training for coaches on interprofessional communication. She also said the existing framework needs to be better disseminated to coaches so that the communication skills can be better developed.

Overall, Ahmann believes more collaboration is the main priority that will ultimately help all the professionals and the patient involved.

A pair of researchers present plans to improve collaboration with other professionals in ADHD.

Better Interprofessional Communication Needed in ADHD Coaching

 (ADHD) could be a game changer in supplementing the existing strategies of therapy and medication to further help this patient population.

, a team of researchers presented data from a focus group looking at ADHD coaching as an emerging tool for both pediatric and adult patients with the disorder.

, Elizabeth Ahmann, Research Director of the Springer Institute and Micah Saviet, Director of the Springer Institute, explained how the results of the focus group show what the role of ADHD might be moving forward.

The researchers believe the role of ADHD coaching ultimately is to work on personalized goal oriented plans with the individual and craft a way to achieve those goals. It ideally will be used in conjunction and coordination with the clinician and psychiatrists.

One of the aims of the focus group is to come up with guidelines for how ADHD coaches can best communicate with clients and better understand how to network with other professionals involved in the process.

However, the research team believes further research is needed to better explore interprofessional communication among other professionals.

An ADHD coach can work on more goal-based plans for individuals with ADHD.

ADHD Coaching an Emerging Tool for Patients

There remains no approved treatments for fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading inherited cause of intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide.

However, preclinical models show kappa opioid receptor antagonists have therapeutic potential to help treat the disorder.

2021 American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD)

 Annual Virtual Meeting, a team of researchers presented data showing kappa opioid receptor antagonists could eventually be a much needed viable treatment for fragile X syndrome.

, Deirdre McCarthy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, explained the promising results and what the plans are to further study this treatment in larger human trials.

McCarthy discussed why it is so difficult to find a suitable treatment for fragile X syndrome and how this treatment is surprisingly promising for this disease.

McCarthy said kappa opioid receptor antagonists have been used in preclinical models as a treatment for addiction disorders and pain, which led the researchers to the belief that it could be a potential therapy for fragile X syndrome.

These drugs can modulate therapeutic transmitters in the brain.

McCarthy said there are also many different drugs that are showing promise in preclinical models.

There is currently no approved treatment for fragile X syndrome.

Deirdre McCarthy: The Long Pursuit of a Fragile X Syndrome Treatment

 long seek new treatments with delayed or extended release action.

The short-term release, while effective, force the patient to carry the treatments with them while they are at work, school, or anywhere else outside of the home.

, investigators presented new data promoting methylphenidate as a treatment for ADHD with both an extended and delayed release action.

The researchers found the treatment resulted in improvements in ADHD symptoms, as well as improvements in early morning functional impairments for children between 6-12 years old.

, Andrew J. Cutler, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, discussed the value of extended release medication and how it can aid patients in improving their quality of life.

In addition, Cutler explained exactly how delayed reaction medications work inside the body and why they are difficult to develop. This treatment could potentially be taken in the evening, enabling the delayed reaction to take effect in the morning.

By doing this, clinicians can prevent peak bursts of effectiveness, in favor of slowly helping the bookend times of morning and late afternoon for patients.

Methylphenidate has shown promising boosting morning function in pediatric patients with ADHD.

Andrew J. Cutler, MD: The Value of Delayed Release ADHD Treatments

Methylphenidate could be a crucial treatment for adolescent patients with 

 (ADHD) in a delayed-release and extended-release formulation.

 a team of investigators presented new data showing the treatment resulted in improvements in ADHD symptoms and early morning functional impairment for children between 6-12 years old with the disorder.

The researchers tested the treatment in a 20 or 40 mg per dose phase 3 trial involving 125 adolescent patients with a mean age of 9.4 years.

Over the course of the 6 week study, mean ADHD-Rating Scale-IV scores decreased from 42.5 at baseline to 11.00 at week 6, while Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ) scores improved after 1 week of treatment.

The researchers also found that the proportion of patients who achieved symptomatic and early morning functional impairment response and remission thresholds increased after each week of treatment.

When doses were titrated weekly, with the aim of control throughout the day, most patients achieved response and remission thresholds, with early morning and late afternoon/evening functional impairment found at the end of the six-week, treatment optimization period.

, Andrew J. Cutler, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, explained the positive results presented at APSARD.

The treatment improves morning function for adolescent ADHD patients.