Cross comparison of alternative diagnostic protocols including substitution to the clinical sample, RNA extraction method and nucleic acid amplification technology for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Background: the gold-standard diagnostic protocol (GSDP) for COVID-19 consists of a nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) sample processed through traditional RNA extraction (TRE) and amplified with retrotranscription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Multiple alternatives were developed to decrease time/cost of GSDP, including alternative clinical samples, RNA extraction methods and nucleic acid amplification. Thus, we carried out a cross comparison of various alternatives methods against GSDP and each other. Methods: we tested alternative diagnostic methods using saliva, heat-induced RNA release (HIRR) and a colorimetric retrotranscription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) as substitutions to the GSDP. Results: RT-LAMP using NPS processed by TRE showed high sensitivity (96%) and specificity (97%), closely matching GSDP. When saliva was processed by TRE and amplified with both RT-LAMP and RT-qPCR, RT-LAMP yielded high diagnostic parameters (88%-96% sensitivity and 95%-100% specificity) compared to RT-qPCR. Nonetheless, when saliva processed by TRE and detected by RT-LAMP was compared against the GSDP, the resulting diagnostic values for sensitivity (78%) and specificity (87%) were somewhat high but still short of those of the GSDP. Finally, saliva processed with HIRR and detected via RT-LAMP was the simplest and fastest method, but its sensitivity against GSDP was too low (56%) for any clinical application. Also, in this last method, the acidity of a large percentage of saliva samples (9%-22%) affected the pH-sensitive colorimetric indicator used in the test, requiring the exclusion of these acidic samples or an extra step for pH correction. Discussion: our comparison shows that RT-LAMP technology has diagnostic performance on par with RT-qPCR; likewise, saliva offers the same diagnostic functionality as NPS when subjected to a TRE method. Nonetheless, use of direct saliva after a HIRR and detected with RT-LAMP does not produce an acceptable diagnostic performance.

Regional insights on tobacco-related tweets: unveiling user opinions and usage patterns.

Introduction: Tobacco consumption and its impact on health remain high worldwide. Additionally, it is a contentious issue generating significant controversy. Twitter has proven to be a useful platform for evaluating public health topics related to population health behaviors, and tobacco consumption. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the content of tweets related to tobacco. Moreover, geolocation data will be considered to understand regional differences. Methods: Tweets published between 2018 and 2022, in both English and Spanish, containing the keyword "tobacco," were analyzed. A total of 56,926 tweets were obtained. The tweets were classified into different categories. 550 tweets were manually analyzed, and an automated and computerized classification was performed for the remaining and largest subset of tweets. Results: The analysis yielded 30,812 classifiable tweets. Healthcare professionals were the most frequent contributors to the topic (50.2%), with the most common theme being general information about the toxic effects of tobacco. 57.9% of the tweets discussed the harmful effects of tobacco on health, with fear being the predominant emotion. The largest number of tweets were located in America. Conclusions: Our study revealed a substantial number of tweets highlighting the health risks and negative perceptions of tobacco consumption. Africa showed the lowest percentage of tweets discussing the health risks associated with tobacco, coinciding with the continent having the least developed anti-tobacco policies. Healthcare professionals emerged as the most prominent users discussing the topic, which is encouraging as they play a crucial role in disseminating accurate and scientific health information.

Endogenous LXR signaling controls pulmonary surfactant homeostasis and prevents lung inflammation.

Lung type 2 pneumocytes (T2Ps) and alveolar macrophages (AMs) play crucial roles in the synthesis, recycling and catabolism of surfactant material, a lipid/protein fluid essential for respiratory function. The liver X receptors (LXR), LXRα and LXRß, are transcription factors important for lipid metabolism and inflammation. While LXR activation exerts anti-inflammatory actions in lung injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other inflammatory stimuli, the full extent of the endogenous LXR transcriptional activity in pulmonary homeostasis is incompletely understood. Here, using mice lacking LXRα and LXRß as experimental models, we describe how the loss of LXRs causes pulmonary lipidosis, pulmonary congestion, fibrosis and chronic inflammation due to defective de novo synthesis and recycling of surfactant material by T2Ps and defective phagocytosis and degradation of excess surfactant by AMs. LXR-deficient T2Ps display aberrant lamellar bodies and decreased expression of genes encoding for surfactant proteins and enzymes involved in cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipid metabolism. Moreover, LXR-deficient lungs accumulate foamy AMs with aberrant expression of cholesterol and phospholipid metabolism genes. Using a house dust mite aeroallergen-induced mouse model of asthma, we show that LXR-deficient mice exhibit a more pronounced airway reactivity to a methacholine challenge and greater pulmonary infiltration, indicating an altered physiology of LXR-deficient lungs. Moreover, pretreatment with LXR agonists ameliorated the airway reactivity in WT mice sensitized to house dust mite extracts, confirming that LXR plays an important role in lung physiology and suggesting that agonist pharmacology could be used to treat inflammatory lung diseases.

Insights from the Twittersphere: a cross-sectional study of public perceptions, usage patterns, and geographical differences of tweets discussing cocaine.

Introduction: Cocaine abuse represents a major public health concern. The social perception of cocaine has been changing over the decades, a phenomenon closely tied to its patterns of use and abuse. Twitter is a valuable tool to understand the status of drug use and abuse globally. However, no specific studies discussing cocaine have been conducted on this platform. Methods: 111,508 English and Spanish tweets containing "cocaine" from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. 550 were manually studied, and the largest subset underwent automated classification. Then, tweets related to cocaine were analyzed to examine their content, types of Twitter users, usage patterns, health effects, and personal experiences. Geolocation data was also considered to understand regional differences. Results: A total of 71,844 classifiable tweets were obtained. Among these, 15.95% of users discussed the harm of cocaine consumption to health. Media outlets had the highest number of tweets (35.11%) and the most frequent theme was social/political denunciation (67.88%). Regarding the experience related to consumption, there are more tweets with a negative sentiment. The 9.03% of tweets explicitly mention frequent use of the drug. The continent with the highest number of tweets was America (55.44% of the total). Discussion: The findings underscore the significance of cocaine as a current social and political issue, with a predominant focus on political and social denunciation in the majority of tweets. Notably, the study reveals a concentration of tweets from the United States and South American countries, reflecting the high prevalence of cocaine-related disorders and overdose cases in these regions. Alarmingly, the study highlights the trivialization of cocaine consumption on Twitter, accompanied by a misleading promotion of its health benefits, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions and antidrug content on social media platforms. Finally, the unexpected advocacy for cocaine by healthcare professionals raises concerns about potential drug abuse within this demographic, warranting further investigation.

Is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) the missing link in food histamine-induced migraine? A review of functional gut-to-trigeminovascular system connections.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and histamine plasma concentrations increase during migraine attacks. Both mediators are potent vasodilators, and they have been shown to reciprocally contribute to the release of each other in the trigeminovascular system, possibly driving migraine development. A high-histamine-content diet triggers migraine in patients who have histamine degradation deficiency owing to diaminooxidase (DAO) gene mutations. Therefore, studying functional links between exogenous histamine and CGRP seems promising for the understanding of diet-induced migraine generation. Notably, there is a lack of knowledge about the interplay of the enteric nervous system and the spinal/trigeminal somatosensory system with regard to CGRP and histamine. Based on background evidence, we propose that a functional interconnection between exogenous histamine and CGRP contributes to migraine development.

Combined analytical assays for the characterization of drugs binding to human IgE: Applicability to omalizumab-bearing biosimilar candidates assessment.

Analytical and functional comparison is key for substantiating the level of convergence (essential sameness) or divergence between versions or variants of a given biological medicine. Accordingly, an overlapping biological activity between products meant to be equal probably reflects a highly similar structure and anticipates a comparable pharmacodynamic behavior. We developed an orthogonal approach to compare the human IgE binding features of different lots and versions of Xolair® (omalizumab), an anti-human IgE monoclonal antibody. The IgE binding affinity and kinetics were measured by surface plasmon resonance. Ability to prevent mast cell activity was assessed in vitro and in vivo in mast cell-based models. The variability of monoclonal antibodies with identical amino acid sequences produced either in Chinese hamster ovarian cells or in human HEK293 cells, was compared. Monoclonal antibodies from the two sources exhibited slightly different human IgE binding and neutralizing features. A known variant exhibiting a three amino acid replacement in the Fab region had lower IgE binding affinity than the original omalizumab. The lower binding affinity translated into reduced IgE neutralizing capacity and, in turn, a difference in the ability to prevent mast cell activation in vitro and in vivo. The proposed set of analytical and functional assays was sensitive enough to detect Fab-linked differences between anti-IgE antibody versions exhibiting an identical aminoacid sequence. In addition to add value to the comparative assessment of biosimilar candidates bearing omalizumab, these methods can aid pre-assessments of new anti-IgE agents that aim to improve therapeutic performance.

Patient satisfaction and outcomes of crisis resolution home treatment for the management of acute psychiatric crises: a study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid.

Background: Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) seem to offer comparable results to the traditional hospitalization model, at a lower cost and offering greater flexibility and scope. However, in Madrid, its implementation in Mental Health did not occur until the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work we analysed the effectiveness of a mental health CRHT unit promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the degree of satisfaction of patients and their families. Methods: 90 patients were treated by the CRHT unit in the period between October 2020 and June 2022. All patients met the inclusion criteria: (1) Acute psychopathological decompensation in patients suffering from psychotic disorders, major affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorder and other severe mental disorders causing functional disability, according to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria; (2) Ages between 18-90 years old; (3) Living in the urban area of Vallecas, Madrid; and (4) Counting with sufficient social and family support. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated with the SF-36 health questionnaire, the caregiver burden with the Zarit questionnaire, and patient satisfaction with a survey specifically designed for this work. Results: 55 (61.1%) patients completed the SF-36 at baseline and at the end of hospitalization. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the 8 dimensions of the SF-36 (p < 0.05). However, CRHT did not achieve a statistically significant decrease in caregiver burden. Regarding the satisfaction of the patients with the attention and care received, an average score of 47.72/50 was obtained. Conclusion: The Crisis Resolution Home Treatment intervention resulted in significant improvement in patients' quality of life with high satisfaction scores. However, it did not effectively reduce caregiver burden. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up to assess the effectiveness of CRHT compared to traditional hospitalization and utilize specific assessment scales for different mental disorders.

Current Opinions about the Use of Duloxetine: Results from a Survey Aimed at Psychiatrists.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex psychiatric disorder that, presented alone or with other comorbidities, requires different adjustments of antidepressant treatments. Some investigations have demonstrated that psychoactive drugs, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can exert more effective and faster antidepressant effects than other common medications used, such as serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), although these differences are still controversial. During the last five years, the SNRI duloxetine has shown favorable results in clinical practice for the treatment of MDD, anxiety, and fibromyalgia. Through an online self-completed survey, in the present article, we collected information from 163 psychiatrists regarding the use of duloxetine and its comparison with other psychiatric drugs, concerning psychiatrists' knowledge and experience, as well as patients' preferences, symptoms, and well-being. We discussed and contrasted physicians' reports and the scientific literature, finding satisfactory concordances, and finally concluded that there is agreement regarding the use of duloxetine, not only due to its tolerability and effectiveness but also due to the wide variety of situations in which it can be used (e.g., somatic symptoms in fibromyalgia, diabetes) as it relieves neuropathic pain as well.

Evidence of Increased Oxidative Stress in the Placental Tissue of Women Who Suffered an Episode of Psychosis during Pregnancy.

Psychosis is a complex clinical syndrome resulting in a loss of contact with reality and alterations in behavior and sensorial and motor functions. Although the onset of psychosis can be related to any medical condition, most cases of psychosis are not fully understood. Psychosis may manifest for the first time during pregnancy, which is detrimental to maternofetal well-being. The impact of having a first episode of psychosis during pregnancy on the placenta has not yet been explored. Oxidative stress is thought to take part in the etiopathogenesis of this complex disorder, and this condition can also affect the placenta as it is highly sensitive to changes in the maternal environment. In this sense, the aim of the present work was to study the gene and protein expression through RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively, of oxidative stress markers (NOX-1, NOX-2, iNOS, eNOS and PARP) in the placental tissue of women who underwent a first episode of psychosis during pregnancy (FE-PW) in comparison to healthy pregnant women. Our results showed augmented gene and protein expression of NOX-1, NOX-2, iNOS and PARP in the placental tissue of FE-PW. For the first time, we demonstrated that oxidative stress may have an important pathophysiological role in this tissue, aiding in explaining the impact of psychosis on pregnancy and the need for future studies in this field to guide better clinical management of these patients.

The Placentas of Women Who Suffer an Episode of Psychosis during Pregnancy Have Increased Lipid Peroxidation with Evidence of Ferroptosis.

Psychosis is a complex entity characterized by psychological, behavioral, and motor alterations resulting in a loss of contact with reality. Although it is not common, pregnancy can be a period in which a first episode of psychosis can manifest, entailing detrimental consequences for both the fetus and the mother. The pathophysiological basis and study of maternofetal wellbeing need to be further elucidated. Lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis are two phenomena that are tightly linked to the placental dysfunction commonly observed in different complications of pregnancy. In the present study, we aim to explore the histopathological and gene expression of different markers of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in the placentas of women who underwent a first episode of psychosis during their pregnancy (n = 22). The aim is to then compare them with healthy pregnant women (n = 20). In order to achieve this goal, iron deposits were studied using Prussian Blue staining. In addition, the protein/gene expression of a transferrin receptor (TFRC), as well as an acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL-4), arachidonate lipoxygenase-5 (ALOX-5), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were all analyzed through gene expression (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemical procedures. Our results demonstrate an increased presence of iron deposits that are accompanied by a further expression of TFRC, ACSL-4, ALOX-5, MDA, and GPX4-all of which are observed in the placenta tissue of women who have suffered from a first episode of psychosis. Therefore, in our study, a histopathological increase in lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis markers in the affected women is suggested. However, further studies are needed in order to validate our results and to establish possible consequences for the reported alterations.

Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Major Depressive Disorder: Understanding the Connection.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex, multifactorial disorder of rising prevalence and incidence worldwide. Nearly, 280 million of people suffer from this leading cause of disability in the world. Moreover, patients with this condition are frequently co-affected by essential nutrient deficiency. The typical scene with stress and hustle in developed countries tends to be accompanied by eating disorders implying overnutrition from high-carbohydrates and high-fat diets with low micronutrients intake. In fact, currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drawn more attention to this underdiagnosed condition, besides the importance of the nutritional status in shaping immunomodulation, in which minerals, vitamins, or omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) play an important role. The awareness of nutritional assessment is greater and greater in the patients with depression since antidepressant treatments have such a significant probability of failing. As diet is considered a crucial environmental factor, underlying epigenetic mechanisms that experience an adaptation or consequence on their signaling and expression mechanisms are reviewed. In this study, we included metabolic changes derived from an impairment in cellular processes due to lacking some essential nutrients in diet and therefore in the organism. Finally, aspects related to nutritional interventions and recommendations are also addressed.

Addressing the Treatment and Service Needs of Young Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a complex period in which multiple changes take place (education, work, independent living, and social relations). This stage is especially difficult for adolescents suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who have to move on from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services. This review analyzes developmental and environmental risk and protective factors as well as critical variables such as executive functioning and self-monitoring that influence the course of ADHD in transitional age youth and guide the priorities for an optimal transition of care. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic is also discussed. We reflect on the unmet needs for an optimal transition of care and propose practice and policy recommendations to achieve this goal.

Overlapping biosimilar and originator follitropin alfa preparations: How much closer can they get?

Unfounded skepticism relating to biosimilars, arising from the assertion that they are not molecularly identical to their original counterpart, fails to acknowledge that no biological medicine, including Gonal-f® (from Merck Serono) is identical to itself. Molecular differences between the biosimilar and the reference medicines are irrelevant and clinically undetectable as long as they are contained within the accepted variability for the original medicine. Accordingly, the minor differences in 'ongoing pregnancy rate' and 'live birth' rate reported in a recent meta-analysis of biosimilars of Gonal-f® from Chua et al. are probably driven by product-unrelated factors, notwithstanding the fact that of the four products under analysis, only Ovaleap® (from Theramex UK Ltd) and Bemfola® (from Gedeon Richter Plc) can unambiguously be considered to be biosimilars. The EU Biosimilars model has proven successful, but some healthcare professionals, building on highly arguable premises, voice a distrust in biosimilars. Only if such scientifically unfounded distrust is reverted, the full promise of rFSH alfa biosimilars for reproductive medicine patients is likely to be fulfilled.

Extracellular vesicles from blood of breast cancer women induce angiogenic processes in HUVECs.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women in developed countries and the main cause of death related to cancer in women worldwide. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicles with a variable size enclosed within a phospholipid bilayer that contain a variety of molecules with biological activity. Cancer cells release EVs that induce proliferation, escape from apoptosis, reprogramming energy metabolism, invasion and metastasis. In this study we studied whether EV fractions deprived of platelet EVs from breast cancer women (BC EVs) can mediate cell processes related with angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our findings demonstrate that BC EVs enhance migration, invasion and formation of new tubules in HUVECs, compared with EV fractions deprived of platelet EVs from healthy women (Ctrl EVs). In summary, we demonstrate, for the first time, that BC EVs induce cellular processes in HUVECs that participate in angiogenesis.

Psychosocial Factors in Adolescence and Risk of Development of Eating Disorders.

Background: current findings in the etiopathogenesis of eating disorders (ED) do not allow the formulation of a unique causal model. Currently, the main hypotheses about the etiopathogenesis are based on a multifactorial approach, considering both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and behavioral factors, as well as self-esteem, in students of the first cycle of middle school and the probability of belonging to the risk group of eating disorders (ED) measured through the EAT-26 scale. Methods: The study target population consists of students of the first cycle of middle school. The instruments applied to the population consisted in: (1) a survey of sociodemographic data and behavioral variables; (2) Rosenberg's self-esteem test; and (3) EAT Test (Eating Attitudes Test 26). Results: Of a total of 656 students belonging to eight educational centers in Madrid who were offered to participate in the study, 88.6% (n = 579) answered the whole questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 13.7 years old. Of the participating adolescents, 57.3% were male and the remaining 42.7% (n = 260) were female. A significant relationship was observed between self-esteem and belonging to an ED risk group, with an OR = 0.910 (CI 95% 0.878−0.943). Hence, each one-point increase on the self-esteem dimension decreased the risk of belonging to an ED risk group by 9.5%. In the variables considered in the area of dysfunctional feeding patterns, the variables 'number of meals' (p < 0.01), 'dieting' (p < 0.01), and 'drug consumption to lose weight' (p < 0.01) were found to be related to the risk of belonging to the ED group. Conclusions: The results obtained in our research can help to establish explanatory models that include the understanding of the interaction of the different factors that influence the appearance and development of EDs. Therefore, these should be taken into consideration when developing ED preventive programs.

The Problem of Malnutrition Associated with Major Depressive Disorder from a Sex-Gender Perspective.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an incapacitating condition characterized by loss of interest, anhedonia and low mood, which affects almost 4% of people worldwide. With rising prevalence, it is considered a public health issue that affects economic productivity and heavily increases health costs alone or as a comorbidity for other pandemic non-communicable diseases (such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.). What is even more noteworthy is the double number of women suffering from MDD compared to men. In fact, this sex-related ratio has been contemplated since men and women have different sexual hormone oscillations, where women meet significant changes depending on the age range and moment of life (menstruation, premenstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause…), which seem to be associated with susceptibility to depressive symptoms. For instance, a decreased estrogen level promotes decreased activation of serotonin transporters. Nevertheless, sexual hormones are not the only triggers that alter neurotransmission of monoamines and other neuropeptides. Actually, different dietary habits and/or nutritional requirements for specific moments of life severely affect MDD pathophysiology in women. In this context, the present review aims to descriptively collect information regarding the role of malnutrition in MDD onset and course, focusing on female patient and especially macro- and micronutrient deficiencies (amino acids, ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs), folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, minerals…), besides providing evidence for future nutritional intervention programs with a sex-gender perspective that hopefully improves mental health and quality of life in women.

Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Major Depressive Disorder-Deep Insights into Their Pathophysiological Role and Potential Translational Applications.

The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem essential for the proper functioning of the organism, affecting the health and disease status of the individuals. There is continuous and bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the host, conforming to a unique entity known as "holobiont". Among these crosstalk mechanisms, the gut microbiota synthesizes a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds or metabolites which exert pleiotropic effects on the human organism. Many of these microbial metabolites can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or have significant effects on the brain, playing a key role in the so-called microbiota-gut-brain axis. An altered microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis is a major characteristic of many neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Significative differences between gut eubiosis and dysbiosis in mental disorders like MDD with their different metabolite composition and concentrations are being discussed. In the present review, the main microbial metabolites (short-chain fatty acids -SCFAs-, bile acids, amino acids, tryptophan -trp- derivatives, and more), their signaling pathways and functions will be summarized to explain part of MDD pathophysiology. Conclusions from promising translational approaches related to microbial metabolome will be addressed in more depth to discuss their possible clinical value in the management of MDD patients.

Vortioxetine in major depressive disorder: from mechanisms of action to clinical studies. An updated review.

INTRODUCTION: Vortioxetine is a multimodal-acting antidepressant that provides improvements on cognitive function aside from antidepressants and anxiolytic effects. Vortioxetine has been found to be one of the most effective and best tolerated options for major depressive disorder (MDD) in head-to-head trials. AREAS COVERED: The present review intends to gather the most relevant and pragmatic data of vortioxetine in MDD, specially focusing on new studies that emerged between 2015 and 2020. EXPERT OPINION: Vortioxetine is the first antidepressant that has shown improvements both in depression and cognitive symptoms, due to the unique multimodal mechanism of action that combine the 5-HT reuptake inhibition with modulations of other key pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT receptors (agonism of 5-HT1A receptor, partial agonism of 5-HT1B receptor, and antagonism of 5-HT3, 5-HT1D and 5-HT7 receptors). This new mechanism of action can explain the dose-dependent effect and can be responsible for its effects on cognitive functioning and improved tolerability profile. Potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties observed in preclinical studies as well as interesting efficacy and tolerability results of clinical studies with specific target groups render it a promising therapeutic option for patients with MDD and concomitant conditions (as menopause symptoms, pain, inflammation, apathy, sleep and/or metabolic abnormalities).

Assessment of Antipsychotic Medications on Social Media: Machine Learning Study.

Background: Antipsychotic medications are the first-line treatment for schizophrenia. However, non-adherence is frequent despite its negative impact on the course of the illness. In response, we aimed to investigate social media posts about antipsychotics to better understand the online environment in this regard. Methods: We collected tweets containing mentions of antipsychotic medications posted between January 1st 2019 and October 31st 2020. The content of each tweet and the characteristics of the users were analyzed as well as the number of retweets and likes generated. Results: Twitter users, especially those identified as patients, showed an interest in antipsychotic medications, mainly focusing on the topics of sexual dysfunction and sedation. Interestingly, paliperidone, despite being among one of the newest antipsychotics, accounted for a low number of tweets and did not generate much interest. Conversely, retweet and like ratios were higher in those tweets asking for or offering help, in those posted by institutions and in those mentioning cognitive complaints. Moreover, health professionals did not have a strong presence in tweet postings, nor did medical institutions. Finally, trivialization was frequently observed. Conclusion: This analysis of tweets about antipsychotic medications provides insights into experiences and opinions related to this treatment. Twitter user perspectives therefore constitute a valuable input that may help to improve clinicians' knowledge of antipsychotic medications and their communication with patients regarding this treatment.