Ketamine potentiates a central glutamatergic presynapse
bioRxiv Preprint Server December 17, 2023 Abdelmoneim Eshra, Noa Lipstein, Stefan Hallermann 1 citation preprint
Ketamine rapidly and persistently increases glutamate release from presynaptic terminals in a cerebellar synapse, an effect that lasts more than 30 minutes after the drug is removed. This enhancement results from increased calcium influx and a greater number of vesicles ready for release. Another NMDAR blocker, MK-801, did not affect glutamate release, indicating a mechanism distinct from postsynaptic NMDAR blockade. The findings reveal a rapid presynaptic action of ketamine that may inform the development of faster-acting antidepressants.