Molecular mechanisms for the antidepressant-like effects of a low-dose ketamine treatment in a DFP-based rat model for Gulf War Illness.
Neurotoxicology June 24, 2020 A. C. Ribeiro, Jackie Zhu, Mohamad M. Kronfol et al.
In a rat model of Gulf War Illness-related depression, a single dose of ketamine produced antidepressant-like effects within one hour that lasted at least 24 hours. The rapid effect appears linked to reduced calcium signaling through NMDA receptors, while the sustained effect involves increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Blocking BDNF receptors eliminated the 24-hour but not the one-hour effect. The findings suggest ketamine may treat depression in Gulf War veterans through two distinct mechanisms.