Did Serendipity Contribute to the Discovery of New Antidepressant Drugs? Historical Analysis Using Operational Criteria.
Alpha psychiatry April 1, 2025 Francisco López-Muñoz, Pilar D'Ocón, Alejandro Romero et al. 3 citations
Most new antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and other modern classes, were developed through rational, targeted design rather than chance. Only moclobemide and ketamine involved serendipity: moclobemide's antidepressant effect was discovered after chance observation of MAO inhibition during antihyperlipidemic research, and ketamine's antidepressant properties emerged from illicit use observations, not its original development as an anesthetic. The majority follow a type IV pattern where serendipity played no role.