Ketamine and Beyond: Investigations into the Potential of Glutamatergic Agents to Treat Depression.
Drugs March 1, 2017 Marc S Lener, Bashkim Kadriu, Carlos A Zarate
Dysfunction of the glutamatergic system is implicated in mood disorders like major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Subanesthetic-dose ketamine, which modulates glutamatergic signaling, produces rapid reductions in depressive symptoms in clinical studies. This finding has prompted the repurposing and development of other glutamatergic modulators for antidepressant efficacy, either as monotherapy or adjunct to conventional antidepressants. The review highlights evidence for the antidepressant effects of subanesthetic-dose ketamine and other modulators including D-cycloserine, riluzole, CP-101,606, CERC-301, basimglurant, JNJ-40411813, dextromethorphan, nitrous oxide, GLYX-13, and esketamine.