Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Next-Generation Treatments for Depression: From Novel Compounds to Optimized Use of Available Drugs

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Next-Generation Treatments for Depression: From Novel Compounds to Optimized Use of Available Drugs", organized by Dr. Vassilis Martiadis (Local Health Authority Napoli 1 Centro, Italy) and Dr. Domenico De Berardis (Local Health Authority Teramo, Italy).

Depression is one of the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. It encompasses a range of clinical presentations, from unipolar major depression to bipolar depression. Furthermore, despite the wide availability of pharmacological treatments, many patients fail to achieve remission. In recent years, there has been a surge in research into novel pharmacological agents, ranging from rapid-acting antidepressants to drugs that target previously unexplored neurobiological mechanisms. At the same time, repurposing established compounds or optimizing existing treatment strategies has opened up new avenues of therapy, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant forms of depression. This article collection aims to explore the full range of emerging pharmacological treatments for depressive disorders.

The need for more effective, individualized pharmacological treatments for depression is greater than ever before. The expansion of pharmacotherapeutic options, including NMDA receptor modulators, multimodal antidepressants and novel mood stabilizers, has introduced promising alternatives to conventional monoaminergic approaches. Additionally, combining therapies or re-evaluating established medications through novel dosing regimens or indications has demonstrated initial efficacy in challenging patient groups. This collection invites studies that critically evaluate the efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action and clinical application of these emerging treatments for unipolar and bipolar depression, including treatment-resistant forms.

We welcome submissions covering a wide range of topics related to the pharmacological treatment of depression. These topics include, but are not limited to, novel antidepressants, glutamatergic agents, fast-acting compounds, polypharmacy strategies, pharmacogenetics and augmentation or combination therapies. We encourage submissions that address both clinical and translational research, as well as systematic reviews, meta-analyses and real-world evidence studies. Particular emphasis will be placed on research related to treatment-resistant and bipolar depression, and on the repositioning of known compounds in new therapeutic contexts. Accepted article types include original research articles, review articles, brief reports and case series.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code B3D62 to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of May 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at haoyang.yi@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Dr. Vassilis Martiadis, Local Health Authority Napoli 1 Centro

Vassilis.martiadis@gmail.com

Dr. Vassilis Martiadis is a psychiatrist and researcher with a strong focus on treatment-resistant depression, psychopharmacology, and personalized mental health care. He collaborates on various national and international projects exploring novel therapeutic strategies for mood disorders. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications (h-index: 23).

Dr. Domenico De Berardis, Local Health Authority Teramo

domenico.deberardis@aslteramo.it

Dr. Domenico De Berardis is a psychiatrist with extensive clinical and academic experience in mood disorders and psychopharmacology. He collaborates with the University of Chieti-Pescara and L'Aquila, and is Visiting Professor at Samara State Medical University. He has authored over 220 peer-reviewed publications (h-index: 47). His expertise focuses on innovative pharmacological approaches to depression.