Hippocampal volume changes after (R,S)-ketamine administration in patients with major depressive disorder and healthy volunteers.
Scientific reports February 24, 2024 Jennifer W Evans, Morgan C Graves, Allison C Nugent et al. 9 citations
The hippocampus and amygdala are brain regions involved in major depressive disorder (MDD) and its treatment. Preclinical work suggests antidepressants, including ketamine, can reverse stress-related changes in these areas. Clinical studies show reduced volumes in MDD, worsened by early life stress and repeated episodes. This analysis of structural MRI data from a prior double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial examined changes in hippocampal and amygdalar subfield volumes after ketamine treatment. Participants included healthy volunteers and unmedicated individuals with treatment-resistant depression scanned at baseline and twice after a single ketamine or saline infusion. At 10 days post-infusion, a slight increase in whole left amygdalar volume was observed in the ketamine group among those with depression. No other differences were found between groups at either 3T or 7T field strength.