Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
2 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2025-2026
The synthetic psychedelic 25CN-NBOH, which binds strongly to serotonin type 2A receptors, has a dual effect on neurons in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex. Acute application of a high concentration (10 µM) increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents, an effect dependent on serotonin 2A receptor activation and not seen with chronic exposure or a lower concentration (200 nM). However, both concentrations suppressed the firing rate of pyramidal neurons after acute and one-hour exposure. This suppression was independent of serotonin 2A receptors but mediated by M-current channels, as blocking M-currents reversed it. The compound thus enhances excitatory transmission while reducing overall excitability, revealing complex cellular actions that may underlie its therapeutic effects.
Esketamine, the right-handed form of ketamine, blocks the NMDA receptor and is used as an anesthetic that reduces postoperative pain and opioid use. It also shows fast-acting antidepressant effects. Beyond anesthesia, esketamine has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant properties in various diseases. This review describes esketamine's neuroprotective effects in central nervous system disorders, detailing how it influences neuronal apoptosis, microglial polarization, and astrocytic functions. The underlying molecular mechanisms involve inflammatory pathways and signaling cascades in neurological disorders.