The dopaminergic effects of esketamine are mediated by a dual mechanism involving glutamate and opioid receptors.
Molecular Psychiatry February 19, 2025 Arianna Rizzo, Maria Zelai Garçon-Poca, Amelie Essmann et al. 14 citations
Esketamine represents a new class of drugs for treating mood disorders. Unlike traditional monoaminergic-based therapies, esketamine primarily targets N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR). However, esketamine is a complex drug with low affinity for NMDAR and can also bind to other targets, such as opioid receptors. Its precise mechanism of action for its antidepressant properties remains...
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-02931-3 (opens in new tab)
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Psychopharmacology
Depression treatment
Brain chemistry
Mental health