Depression and antidepressant effects of ketamine and its metabolites: The pivotal role of gut microbiota.
Neuropharmacology September 1, 2022 Hao-Ming Hua, Chao Huang, Hanyu Liu et al. 35 citations
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects, a major advance in depression treatment, may involve the gut-brain axis. This review examines how ketamine and its metabolites interact with the gut microbiome and microbiota-derived molecules. The proposed mechanisms include modulation of the stress response, promotion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-mediated neurogenesis, anti-inflammatory effects, and regulation of neurotransmitters. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear.