Ketamine’s effect on inflammation and kynurenine pathway in depression: A systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology June 26, 2021 Emma I Kopra, V. Mondelli, C. Pariante et al. 89 citations
Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression, appears to reduce inflammation in at least some depressed patients. A systematic review of 9 human studies and 22 rodent studies found strong evidence in rodents that ketamine lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and also affects tryptophan metabolism by decreasing the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Human studies showed less consistent results but most reported decreases in peripheral inflammation including the same cytokines. Preliminary evidence also suggested reduced activation of the neurotoxic arm of the kynurenine pathway. Future research should investigate markers in the central nervous system and the clinical relevance of these inflammatory changes.