Frontiers in Neuroimaging
June 27, 2023
Vasileia Kotoula, Jennifer W. Evans, Claire Punturieri et al.
26 citations
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can identify brain areas linked to depression symptoms and potential treatment targets. A review of fMRI studies on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and ketamine found that both conventional and fast-acting antidepressants normalize amygdala hyperactivity in response to negative emotional stimuli, suggesting a common pathway for antidepressant action. Ketamine's rapid effects on brain activity and connectivity also trend toward normalizing depression-related abnormalities. While fMRI shows promise for identifying treatment targets, improved methodology and study design are needed before its findings can be used as primary clinical trial outcomes.
Progress in brain research
January 1, 2023
Vasileia Kotoula, Jennifer W Evans, Claire Punturieri et al.
17 citations
Imaging studies of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have examined brain activity, structure, and metabolite concentrations to identify critical areas of investigation and potential treatment targets. This chapter reviews findings from structural MRI, functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Decreased connectivity and metabolite concentrations in frontal brain areas appear to characterize TRD, though results are not consistent across studies. Treatments including rapid-acting antidepressants and transcranial magnetic stimulation have shown some efficacy in reversing these changes while alleviating depressive symptoms. However, few TRD imaging studies exist, often with small sample sizes or varied methods, making firm conclusions difficult. Larger studies with unified hypotheses and data sharing could improve characterization of the illness and identify new treatment targets.
medRxiv Preprint Server
December 7, 2020
Vasileia Kotoula, Argyris Stringaris, Nuria Mackes et al.
9 citations
preprint
Ketamine, an antidepressant, can alter activity in brain reward areas within two hours of a single infusion, even in people who are not currently depressed. In a study of 37 remitted depression patients, ketamine increased brain responses in the nucleus accumbens and putamen during anticipation and receipt of small rewards, and the level of a ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-HNK correlated with activation in the ventral tegmental area. These changes occurred without any changes in mood symptoms, suggesting ketamine may improve anhedonia by directly modulating how the brain processes reward feedback.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
July 1, 2026
Marcus J Glennon, Catherine I V Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
2 citations
Setting up a psychedelic research study involves a long, arduous, and Kafkaesque process with many unstandardised challenges. These complexities challenge existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. This review brings together major UK psychedelic research teams to formalise these unique considerations, addressing sociocultural, political, legal, pharmacological, safety, study design, and experiential facets. It identifies continuing areas of debate and provides a practical, experience-based guide with recommendations for policymakers and future researchers intending to set up a psychedelic study or clinical trial.
arXiv Preprint Archive
March 28, 2025
Marcus J. Glennon, Catherine I. V. Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
Setting up a psychedelic study is a long and complex process that presents unique challenges not yet standardized. This review brings together major UK research teams to formalize these considerations, identify ongoing debates, and provide a practical guide for researchers and policymakers. It addresses challenges to existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. The paper can be read end-to-end or used as a manual with sections for specific needs.