Novel mechanisms underlying rapid-acting antidepressants: ketamine-like compounds, neurosteroid GABAkines, and psychedelics.
Sara Castanheira, Catarina Vale Gomes, Joana Bicker, Ana Fortuna
Drug Discovery Today June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104371 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Bdnf Gaba Psychedelics Rapid-acting antidepressant drug Depression treatment Neuroscience research Antidepressant drugs Brain chemistry Mental health therapy |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Rapid-acting antidepressant drugs primarily work by potentiating BDNF or activating GABAA receptors. |
Abstract
The discovery of the rapid antidepressant action of ketamine accelerated the identification of new molecules that are associated with fast and prolonged relief of depressive symptoms. As a result, a new group of antidepressants have emerged, some of them already approved for clinical use, classified as rapid-acting antidepressant drugs (RAADs). Potentiation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or activation of the GABAA receptors are the main mechanisms behind the notable properties of RAADs, a mainstream topic in the field of pharmacology and drug discovery that deserves an updated review.