Emergence of Ketamine as a Rapid Acting Antidepressant: Mechanistic Insights and Future Directions
Ketamine Revisited - New Insights into NMDA Inhibitors September 14, 2022 Atamjit Singh, Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi
Ketamine, originally developed as a dissociative anesthetic, has recently gained attention for its rapid antidepressant effects, particularly in treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work, ketamine can produce clinical effects within hours. Its mechanism involves modulation of glutamate via NMDA and AMPA receptors, as well as downregulation of BDNF. This chapter reviews the mechanisms behind ketamine's antidepressant activity, along with its pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and ongoing clinical trials.