The 5-HT1A receptor biased agonists, NLX-204 and NLX-101, like ketamine, elicit rapid-acting antidepressant activity in the rat chronic mild stress model via cortical mechanisms.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) July 1, 2024 Mariusz Papp, Piotr Gruca, Ewa Litwa et al. 15 citations
Two compounds that selectively activate serotonin 5-HT1A receptors in a biased manner, NLX-101 and NLX-204, produce rapid antidepressant effects in rats exposed to chronic mild stress, similar to ketamine. When injected directly into the prefrontal cortex, these compounds reversed stress-induced anhedonia, reduced anxiety, and improved working memory deficits. Blocking 5-HT1A receptors in the prefrontal cortex eliminated these benefits, showing that the compounds work specifically through these receptors. The findings suggest that biased agonism at 5-HT1A receptors is a promising strategy for rapid-acting antidepressants that may avoid ketamine's side effects while also addressing cognitive deficits and anxiety.