Acute ketamine connectivity changes in patients with major depression
Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition September 16, 2025 DOI: 10.58530/2025/0503 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, changes functional connectivity in the brain in ways that correlate with the density of receptors known to be involved in depression. In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, participants received an infusion of ketamine or placebo while undergoing resting-state fMRI. The resulting connectivity changes matched several receptor types linked to depression. This method may help evaluate how new drugs affect the brain.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Key finding | Functional connectivity changes after acute ketamine correlate with receptor densities known to be involved with depression. |
Abstract
Motivation: The exact mechanism of action of the rapid acting acting antidepressant ketamine is unknown. Goal(s): Investigation of the functional connectivity changes after acute ketamine in relation to receptor density. Approach: In a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial an infusion of ketamine or placebo was administered during resting state fMRI at 3T and functional connectivity was compared to receptor density maps. Results: The functional connectivity changes found correlate well with several receptors known to be involved with depression. Impact: This approach could be used to evaluate the effects of novel therapeutics in the brain.