How ketamine works: An actionable hypothesis.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America May 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2533728123 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine reduces depression and suicidality in treatment-resistant individuals, but its mechanism remains unknown. A new hypothesis proposes that synaptic and circuit plasticity underlies ketamine's effects, potentially leading to improved treatments for depression and other conditions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Ketamine |
| Keywords | Nmda |
| Key finding | Ketamine's antidepressant effects may be explained by synaptic and circuit plasticity. |
Abstract
Ketamine has been shown to reduce depression and suicidality in individuals resistant to treatment by other drugs. Exactly how ketamine works is not known. Here, I propose a new hypothesis that involves synaptic and circuit plasticity and may lead to enhanced efficacy in treating depression as well as other conditions.