Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
November 23, 2020
H. Gill, Barjot Gill, Nelson B Rodrigues et al.
92 citations
About 40% of people with major depressive disorder have cognitive impairments, and those with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) often show such deficits. Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, may help. A systematic review of five studies found that a single low-dose intravenous infusion (0.5 mg/kg) did not worsen cognitive function. Some studies reported improvements in working memory and visual learning after ketamine treatment, while gains in processing speed and verbal learning occurred only in anxious TRD patients. The evidence suggests ketamine may have pro-cognitive effects in TRD, but more research is needed.
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
September 21, 2020
Hartej Gill, Barjot Gill, David Chen‐li et al.
62 citations
Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA show promise as a new type of therapy for mental health disorders. Evidence suggests they may work with just one dose, produce rapid effects, and be effective for treatment-resistant conditions, possibly serving as a standalone treatment. More clinical trials are needed to test their safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in real-world patient populations.
Psychiatry Research
April 25, 2022
Hartej Gill, Parnian Puramat, Pankti Patel et al.
16 citations
Psilocybin shows promise as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially offering an alternative to conventional therapies. A systematic review of neuroimaging studies found that psilocybin administration decreased amygdala activity and reduced depressive symptoms in two studies involving MDD participants. In healthy populations, changes in functional connectivity and activation of prefrontal limbic structures, particularly the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala, were observed. However, high methodological heterogeneity across the thirteen included studies—ten in healthy populations and three in MDD participants—limits conclusions. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify psilocybin's long-term effects and sustained therapeutic potential for MDD.