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The Use of Ketamine as Therapy for Depression

Lovina Lovina

Open Access Indonesian Journal of Medical Reviews October 15, 2021 DOI: 10.37275/oaijmr.v1i2.34 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Intervention Ketamine
Dose subanesthetic doses
Topics Depression Esketamine Ketamine
Key findings Ketamine, administered intravenously in subanesthetic doses, shows rapid-onset antidepressant effects likely through increased BDNF in the hippocampus, but requires monitoring for side effects.

Abstract

Depressive disorder is still a significant problem in several developed countriesand is morbidity caused by mental disorders. With the development of science,now discovered the unique pharmacodynamic properties of ketamine, which isused as an antidepressant. As we know in clinical practice, ketamine is used foranaesthesia, analgesia, sedation, and chronic pain management. Rapid-onsetantidepressants resulted from increased levels of BDNF in the hippocampus.Extracellular glutamate agents are not new for the treatment of depression.According to the neurobiology view, depression is a monoaminergic phenomenon,so this is the impetus for discovering a new generation of antidepressants.Ketamine can be given intravenously in subanesthetic doses. Still, monitoringmust be carrying in therapy administration because of the possible side effectssuch as hypersalivation, tachycardia, increased systemic arterial pressure, andintracranial pressure.