The role of dissociation in ketamine's antidepressant effects.
Elizabeth D. Ballard, Carlos A. Zarate
Nat Commun December 22, 2020 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20190-4 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine produces immediate antidepressant effects and also short-term dissociative effects, where individuals experience altered consciousness and perceptions. Whether these dissociative side effects are necessary for the antidepressant effects remains unclear. This perspective examines the relationship between dissociation and both acute and longer-lasting antidepressant responses to ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists. The current literature does not support the conclusion that dissociation is necessary for antidepressant response to ketamine, but further work is needed to explore this relationship at molecular, biomarker, and psychological levels.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Ketamine therapy Ketamine treatment Antidepressant ketamine Dissociation Dissociative state |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key finding | The literature does not support the conclusion that dissociation is necessary for antidepressant response to ketamine. |
Abstract
Ketamine produces immediate antidepressant effects and has inspired research into next-generation treatments. Ketamine also has short term dissociative effects, in which individuals report altered consciousness and perceptions of themselves and their environment. However, whether ketamine's dissociative side effects are necessary for its antidepressant effects remains unclear. This perspective examines the relationship between dissociative effects and acute and longer-lasting antidepressant response to ketamine and other N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Presently, the literature does not support the conclusion that dissociation is necessary for antidepressant response to ketamine. However, further work is needed to explore the relationship between dissociation and antidepressant response at the molecular, biomarker, and psychological levels.