Experimental Treatments: Ketamine
December 7, 2018 DOI: 10.64239/pi-vl00511
Summary
Ketamine is linked to a quick but short-lived antidepressant effect in patients who do not respond to other treatments. Research is ongoing to develop safer forms of ketamine that can provide longer-lasting effects. The way ketamine works may involve its metabolite hydroxynorketamine and its influence on glutamate AMPA receptors.
Study at a glance
| Population | treatment-resistant patients |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Ketamine is associated with a fast but transient antidepressant response in treatment-resistant patients. |
Abstract
Ketamine (an NMDA antagonist) is associated with a fast but transient antidepressant response in treatment-resistant patients Ketamine forms that are safer and able to overcome the transient effect limitation are being studied in clinical trials Ketamine’s mechanism of action could be linked to the metabolite hydroxynorketamine and its activity on glutamate AMPA receptors