Martin Plöderl
@ploederl.bsky.social
Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, part-time researcher with a focus on suicide prevention and psychopharmacology.
https://ploederlm.github.io/publications/
https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=76cO6AEAAAAJ&hl=de
Nature, espresso, cycling.
https://ploederlm.github.io/publications/
https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=76cO6AEAAAAJ&hl=de
Nature, espresso, cycling.
Pinned
Martin Plöderl
@ploederl.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Paper now published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.
Longer thread below!
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
@markhoro.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @richlyus.bsky.social @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Longer thread below!
www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
@markhoro.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @richlyus.bsky.social @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Direction of effect and success of publcation: a randomized study has really been done already!
Thanks to @floriannaudet.bsky.social for pointing it out
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Thanks to @floriannaudet.bsky.social for pointing it out
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
February 10, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Direction of effect and success of publcation: a randomized study has really been done already!
Thanks to @floriannaudet.bsky.social for pointing it out
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Thanks to @floriannaudet.bsky.social for pointing it out
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Our response is free to read via this link for the next 50 days.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
1. Our response to a review by Le et al. on optimal dosing of ketamine, which was based on efficacy studies and neuroplasticity research, just came out (with @floriannaudet.bsky.social).
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Recommendations for repeated dosings of ketamine/esketamine rest on an uncertain evidence base. Response to
www.sciencedirect.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Our response is free to read via this link for the next 50 days.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
Especially if you like Schwarzenegger-style English 😅
February 8, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Especially if you like Schwarzenegger-style English 😅
Another talk on how a single small Zombie-trial biased the results for fluoxetine in influential Lancet meta-analyses. This time for the University of Cambridge.
With @richlyus.bsky.social and @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Time: 26 February, 12:30-13:30 (UK), via Zoom
talks.cam.ac.uk/talk/index/2...
With @richlyus.bsky.social and @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Time: 26 February, 12:30-13:30 (UK), via Zoom
talks.cam.ac.uk/talk/index/2...
talks.cam.ac.uk
February 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Another talk on how a single small Zombie-trial biased the results for fluoxetine in influential Lancet meta-analyses. This time for the University of Cambridge.
With @richlyus.bsky.social and @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Time: 26 February, 12:30-13:30 (UK), via Zoom
talks.cam.ac.uk/talk/index/2...
With @richlyus.bsky.social and @floriannaudet.bsky.social
Time: 26 February, 12:30-13:30 (UK), via Zoom
talks.cam.ac.uk/talk/index/2...
Same here 😄
See you soon, if the Deutsche Bahn doesn't mess!
See you soon, if the Deutsche Bahn doesn't mess!
February 8, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Same here 😄
See you soon, if the Deutsche Bahn doesn't mess!
See you soon, if the Deutsche Bahn doesn't mess!
Reposted by Martin Plöderl
I expect the results to be highly important. Esketamine has received FDA approval for MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior, so an IPD meta-analysis on this topic is particularly relevant.
February 8, 2026 at 9:18 AM
I expect the results to be highly important. Esketamine has received FDA approval for MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior, so an IPD meta-analysis on this topic is particularly relevant.
Reposted by Martin Plöderl
🚨🚨 Important thread 🙂
Heading to Utrecht ✈️ to kick off one of the most data-intensive and stimulating projects I’m involved in: the 2nd @sharectd.bsky.social Datathon.
Heading to Utrecht ✈️ to kick off one of the most data-intensive and stimulating projects I’m involved in: the 2nd @sharectd.bsky.social Datathon.
February 8, 2026 at 9:18 AM
🚨🚨 Important thread 🙂
Heading to Utrecht ✈️ to kick off one of the most data-intensive and stimulating projects I’m involved in: the 2nd @sharectd.bsky.social Datathon.
Heading to Utrecht ✈️ to kick off one of the most data-intensive and stimulating projects I’m involved in: the 2nd @sharectd.bsky.social Datathon.
"Do you think you can protect yourself from committing suicide?"
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"I can see you're upset."
"I can see you're upset."
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“It’s on the syllabus.”
“It’s on the syllabus.”
February 7, 2026 at 8:17 PM
"Do you think you can protect yourself from committing suicide?"
Agree in principle. Though desk rejection was IME not really related to the quality but more to the size and direction of the effect (or put differently, how convenient the findings are within the field).
February 7, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Agree in principle. Though desk rejection was IME not really related to the quality but more to the size and direction of the effect (or put differently, how convenient the findings are within the field).
Nominating the "bio-babble of the month" is indeed a good idea by @mad-in-america.bsky.social
There would of course be sufficient material to make it a weekly award 🙃
There would of course be sufficient material to make it a weekly award 🙃
Psychobabble of the Month: ECT Hailed as Method to Gain Consent for Forced Drug Treatment
Psychiatrists forced a woman to undergo dozens of electroshock sessions until she finally agreed to take clozapine. They framed this as "restoring" her "decision-making capacity."
Psychiatrists forced a woman to undergo dozens of electroshock sessions until she finally agreed to take clozapine. They framed this as "restoring" her "decision-making capacity."
Psychobabble of the Month: ECT Hailed as Method to Gain Consent for Forced Drug Treatment
Refusal to take clozapine was considered evidence of mental illness, and forced ECT changed her mind; the researchers call this "consent."
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Nominating the "bio-babble of the month" is indeed a good idea by @mad-in-america.bsky.social
There would of course be sufficient material to make it a weekly award 🙃
There would of course be sufficient material to make it a weekly award 🙃
Great summary - ordered!
February 6, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Great summary - ordered!
Reposted by Martin Plöderl
A major new book urges a rethink of checklist diagnosis
My review @psychologytoday.com
#Medsky #psychiatry #overdiagnosis #polypharmacy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side...
My review @psychologytoday.com
#Medsky #psychiatry #overdiagnosis #polypharmacy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side...
Clinical Reasoning and the Debate Over Psychiatric Diagnosis
A new book urges a major rethink of checklist diagnoses in psychiatry.
www.psychologytoday.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
A major new book urges a rethink of checklist diagnosis
My review @psychologytoday.com
#Medsky #psychiatry #overdiagnosis #polypharmacy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side...
My review @psychologytoday.com
#Medsky #psychiatry #overdiagnosis #polypharmacy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side...
Agree. The other study is larger, though. Would be interesting to know if there are unpublished trials (evidence spans into times before registration was mandatory).
Some studies have hardly any improvement in the placebo arm.
Independent replication is key, IMO.
Some studies have hardly any improvement in the placebo arm.
Independent replication is key, IMO.
February 6, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Agree. The other study is larger, though. Would be interesting to know if there are unpublished trials (evidence spans into times before registration was mandatory).
Some studies have hardly any improvement in the placebo arm.
Independent replication is key, IMO.
Some studies have hardly any improvement in the placebo arm.
Independent replication is key, IMO.
SMD.
What I saw is that in some (earlier) studies, there is hardly any improvement in the placebo group, which may explain the large SMD. Expectancy/investigator/unblinding bias?
Independent multiarm RCTs with a competing drug may be clarifying. Similar to fluoxetine
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
What I saw is that in some (earlier) studies, there is hardly any improvement in the placebo group, which may explain the large SMD. Expectancy/investigator/unblinding bias?
Independent multiarm RCTs with a competing drug may be clarifying. Similar to fluoxetine
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
February 6, 2026 at 5:57 AM
SMD.
What I saw is that in some (earlier) studies, there is hardly any improvement in the placebo group, which may explain the large SMD. Expectancy/investigator/unblinding bias?
Independent multiarm RCTs with a competing drug may be clarifying. Similar to fluoxetine
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
What I saw is that in some (earlier) studies, there is hardly any improvement in the placebo group, which may explain the large SMD. Expectancy/investigator/unblinding bias?
Independent multiarm RCTs with a competing drug may be clarifying. Similar to fluoxetine
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Reposted by Martin Plöderl
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
(George Orwell: 1984)
„Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.“
(Philip K. Dick)
(George Orwell: 1984)
„Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.“
(Philip K. Dick)
January 27, 2026 at 7:08 AM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
(George Orwell: 1984)
„Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.“
(Philip K. Dick)
(George Orwell: 1984)
„Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.“
(Philip K. Dick)
Sertraline is increasingly used in children and adolescents.
Here are results for the 2 RCTs on anxiety.
SMD 1.8 😯
Sorry, this is just too good to be true!
Thoughts?
@toshi-frkw.bsky.social
@joannamoncrieff.bsky.social
Here are results for the 2 RCTs on anxiety.
SMD 1.8 😯
Sorry, this is just too good to be true!
Thoughts?
@toshi-frkw.bsky.social
@joannamoncrieff.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Sertraline is increasingly used in children and adolescents.
Here are results for the 2 RCTs on anxiety.
SMD 1.8 😯
Sorry, this is just too good to be true!
Thoughts?
@toshi-frkw.bsky.social
@joannamoncrieff.bsky.social
Here are results for the 2 RCTs on anxiety.
SMD 1.8 😯
Sorry, this is just too good to be true!
Thoughts?
@toshi-frkw.bsky.social
@joannamoncrieff.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin Plöderl
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Sobering finding:
www.madinamerica.com/2026/02/none...
www.madinamerica.com/2026/02/none...
None of the 22 FDA Approvals for Psychiatric Drugs in the Last Decade Were “Clinically Useful”
Established drugs were repurposed, “me-too” drugs were approved, and even the few new biological approaches lacked clinical utility.
www.madinamerica.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Sobering finding:
www.madinamerica.com/2026/02/none...
www.madinamerica.com/2026/02/none...
5. Curious how Le et al. will respond.
@ioanaacristea.bsky.social @christophlane.bsky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @eturnermd1.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @markhoro.bsky.social
@ioanaacristea.bsky.social @christophlane.bsky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @eturnermd1.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @markhoro.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
5. Curious how Le et al. will respond.
@ioanaacristea.bsky.social @christophlane.bsky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @eturnermd1.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @markhoro.bsky.social
@ioanaacristea.bsky.social @christophlane.bsky.social @eikofried.bsky.social @eturnermd1.bsky.social @joannamoncrieff.bsky.social @markhoro.bsky.social
4. Eg there was no effect in the new KARMA-Dep study which enrolled consecutive inpatients at an academic center "potentially reducing selection bias and moderating expectancy effects”
Interestingly, 1 of our 3 reviewers said that selection bias can explain this. Hey, this is real world evidence 😉
Interestingly, 1 of our 3 reviewers said that selection bias can explain this. Hey, this is real world evidence 😉
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
4. Eg there was no effect in the new KARMA-Dep study which enrolled consecutive inpatients at an academic center "potentially reducing selection bias and moderating expectancy effects”
Interestingly, 1 of our 3 reviewers said that selection bias can explain this. Hey, this is real world evidence 😉
Interestingly, 1 of our 3 reviewers said that selection bias can explain this. Hey, this is real world evidence 😉
3. Second, there is conflicting evidence regarding the superiority of repeated dosages over single doses. A good meta-analysis on this is still lacking.
Third, nonspecific effects (e.g., expectancy) and biases (e.g., unblinding) may explain efficacy, too.
Third, nonspecific effects (e.g., expectancy) and biases (e.g., unblinding) may explain efficacy, too.
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
3. Second, there is conflicting evidence regarding the superiority of repeated dosages over single doses. A good meta-analysis on this is still lacking.
Third, nonspecific effects (e.g., expectancy) and biases (e.g., unblinding) may explain efficacy, too.
Third, nonspecific effects (e.g., expectancy) and biases (e.g., unblinding) may explain efficacy, too.
2. We pointed out three issues with the review by Le et al..
First, the research on neuroplasticity as main mechanism of ketamine's efficacy may not be as robust as described by Le et al. There also may be competing mechanisms.
First, the research on neuroplasticity as main mechanism of ketamine's efficacy may not be as robust as described by Le et al. There also may be competing mechanisms.
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
2. We pointed out three issues with the review by Le et al..
First, the research on neuroplasticity as main mechanism of ketamine's efficacy may not be as robust as described by Le et al. There also may be competing mechanisms.
First, the research on neuroplasticity as main mechanism of ketamine's efficacy may not be as robust as described by Le et al. There also may be competing mechanisms.
1. Our response to a review by Le et al. on optimal dosing of ketamine, which was based on efficacy studies and neuroplasticity research, just came out (with @floriannaudet.bsky.social).
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Recommendations for repeated dosings of ketamine/esketamine rest on an uncertain evidence base. Response to
www.sciencedirect.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
1. Our response to a review by Le et al. on optimal dosing of ketamine, which was based on efficacy studies and neuroplasticity research, just came out (with @floriannaudet.bsky.social).
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The review is here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Just completed "The wind up bird chronicles" by Marakumi and liked it.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Just completed "The wind up bird chronicles" by Marakumi and liked it.