title: Novel biotherapies are needed in youth mental health.
abstract: Adverse effects and lack of efficacy in a significant number of patients limit pharmaceutical interventions in youth psychiatry. This is exemplified by the fact that no medication is currently approved for the treatment of non-OCD anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder in young people younger than 18 years of age in Australia. Here, emerging biological therapies for youth with mental health problems are discussed. There is an urgent need for more research into biological interventions with acceptable risk-benefit balances. Omega-3 fatty acids, cannabidiol and N-acetylcysteine are currently being evaluated. If initial findings are confirmed, they may offer alternatives with more benign side-effect profiles than existing treatments.
authors.affiliation: Professorial Research Fellow, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: G Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Amminger
authors.affiliation: PhD Student, Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), Townsville, QLD and; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Maximus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Miriam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.affiliation: Executive Director, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: McGorry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D001315:Australia; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D002185:Cannabidiol
keywords: biotherapies; cannabidiol; long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; transcranial magnetic stimulation; youth mental health