The Use of Ketamine as Therapy for Depression

Depressive disorder remains a significant problem in several developed countries. Ketamine, traditionally used for anesthesia, analgesia, sedation, and chronic pain, has unique pharmacodynamic properties that make it effective as a rapid-onset antidepressant, likely by increasing BDNF levels in the hippocampus. Although extracellular glutamate agents are not new for treating depression, the monoaminergic view of depression drives the search for new antidepressants. Ketamine is given intravenously in subanesthetic doses, but monitoring is required due to possible side effects like hypersalivation, tachycardia, and increased blood and intracranial pressure.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Depressive disorder is still a significant problem in several developed countriesand is morbidity caused by mental disorders. With the development of science,now discovered the unique pharmacodynamic properties of ketamine, which isused as an antidepressant. As we know in clinical practice, ketamine is used foranaesthesia, analgesia, sedation, and chronic pain management. Rapid-onsetantidepressants resulted from increased levels of BDNF in the hippocampus.Extracellular glutamate agents are not new for the treatment of depression.According to the neurobiology view, depression is a monoaminergic phenomenon,so this is the impetus for discovering a new generation of antidepressants.Ketamine can be given intravenously in subanesthetic doses. Still, monitoringmust be carrying in therapy administration because of the possible side effectssuch as hypersalivation, tachycardia, increased systemic arterial pressure, andintracranial pressure.