Neuroscience: Special K gets an 'A'.
Current biology : CB – April 21, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
The antidepressant ketamine works by helping the brain maintain active coping strategies during stress. Scientists observed zebrafish behavior when facing challenges, finding that ketamine promotes persistence rather than passive responses. The drug strengthens key neural pathways, leading to lasting improvements in how the brain handles difficult situations - a breakthrough in understanding rapid-acting antidepressants.
Abstract
A hallmark of depression is a tendency to become passive when faced with overwhelming challenges. A recent study models this phenomenon in zebrafish and discovers a novel mechanism by which the antidepressant drug ketamine promotes long-term improvements in behavioral persistence.