A Dendrite-Focused Framework for Understanding the Actions of Ketamine and Psychedelics
Trends in Neurosciences December 21, 2020 Neil K. Savalia, Ling-Xiao Shao, Alex C. Kwan 110 citations
Ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin both relieve depression and promote neural plasticity, despite targeting different molecular receptors. This opinion article proposes a conceptual framework suggesting their actions converge at the dendrites, where they both enhance and suppress membrane excitability. Mismatches in these opposing effects may explain differences in cell-type and region selectivity, the compounds' moderate range of effects and toxicity, and their plasticity-promoting capacities.