Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation
6 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2025-2026
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica December 1, 2025 Liyang Yin, A. Imamog ̄lu, Gia Han Le et al. 3 citations
A single intravenous dose of ketamine may reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors recommend future research to test whether combining ketamine with psychotherapy provides additional benefit and to investigate the biological mechanisms that explain symptom relief.
Journal of Psychiatric Research October 30, 2025 Isabella S Ji, M Cheng, Kayla M. Teopiz et al. 2 citations
Esketamine reduces depressive symptoms and improves functioning, especially in workplace settings. Future research should treat functional outcomes as key secondary or co-primary endpoints to better capture recovery in treatment-resistant and major depressive disorder.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 28, 2026 Gia Han Le, Sabrina Wong, Danica E. Johnson et al.
The serotonin 5-HT2B receptor sits at a crossroads between potential antidepressant effects in the brain and serious heart valve risks when activated peripherally. This narrative review of preclinical and clinical literature finds that peripheral activation of 5-HT2B receptors causes valvular heart disease through cell proliferation and scarring, as seen with older drugs like fenfluramine and some dopamine agonists. In the brain, the receptor's effects are mixed: astrocytic activation may support metabolism and plasticity, while neuronal blockade can normalize dopamine and glutamate activity. Several approved antidepressant adjuncts (aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine) antagonize this receptor without observed heart valve problems. The authors propose developing centrally selective, periphery-sparing 5-HT2B antagonists for treatment-resistant depression, with early cardiac monitoring to ensure safety.
CNS Spectrums March 10, 2026 Halima Faisal, Gia Han Le, Angela T.h. Kwan et al.
Ketamine rapidly alters brain reward circuitry in people with major depressive disorder, particularly in fronto-striatal and limbic networks. In a synthesis of 13 neuroimaging studies involving 623 participants (482 with depression, 141 controls), intravenous ketamine (typically 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) changed resting-state connectivity in ventral striatal-prefrontal and default mode, salience, and executive networks within 2 to 48 hours, with some effects lasting up to 10 days. Task-based imaging showed altered ventral striatal responses during reward anticipation and feedback, and changes in medial prefrontal activity during emotion processing. PET scans indicated increased prefrontal-cingulate metabolism and region-specific serotonin receptor binding changes. Few studies directly measured anhedonia, suggesting the findings reflect broader antidepressant mechanisms.
Psychiatry Research February 19, 2026 Trisha Menon, Andy Lu, Akhilan Arulmozhi et al.
Ketamine, esketamine, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are associated with reductions in suicidal ideation in people with major depressive disorder. The strongest evidence from randomized controlled trials supports rapid, short-term effects, particularly for ketamine and esketamine. Further research is needed to characterize the durability of these antisuicidal effects and to determine whether reductions in suicidal ideation translate into reduced severity of suicidal behavior.
Neuroendocrinology October 30, 2025 Sabrina Wong, Gia Han Le, Jens Uhlig et al.
Blocking NMDA receptors improves the function and survival of pancreatic alpha and beta cells, which may help explain why certain NMDA antagonists like ketamine, esketamine, and dextromethorphan have antidepressant effects and could also address metabolic problems often seen in depression. The findings suggest a shared mechanism linking mood regulation and pancreatic hormone control. More research is needed on how low doses of these drugs affect pancreatic function and delta cells.