Elisa Hawkins

2 papers in the library · 10 citations · publishing 2020-2024

Papers

Ketamine Produces Antidepressant Effects by Inhibiting Histone Deacetylases and Upregulating Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in a Diisopropyl Fluorophosphate-Based Rat Model of Gulf War Illness.

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics January 17, 2024 Ana Ribeiro-Davis, Dalia Y Al Saeedy, Fay M Jahr et al. 10 citations

In a rat model of Gulf War Illness (GWI), a single antidepressant dose of ketamine reversed epigenetic changes in the hippocampus. Ketamine inhibited the upregulation of histone deacetylase enzymes, restored acetylation at the Bdnf gene promoter, and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression. It also increased dendritic spine density and altered spine types, shifting from S-type to T-type spines. These results suggest ketamine's antidepressant effect in GWI-related depression involves histone modifications that boost BDNF and reshape synaptic connections, supporting further clinical trials for GWI-related depression.

DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001824 Full text Ketamine therapy Neuroscience research Veterans health Depression treatment +1

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.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.06.011 Full text Medicine Environmental science