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Ketamine: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment

John H. Krystal, Chadi G. Abdallah, Gerard Sanacora, Dennis S. Charney, Ronald S. Duman

Neuron March 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.005 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Depression Esketamine Ketamine
Citations 443
Key findings Ketamine is a rapid-acting antidepressant effective for treatment-resistant mood disorders, and its mechanisms are overturning established views on the neurobiology of depression.

Abstract

Ketamine is the first exemplar of a rapid-acting antidepressant with efficacy for treatment-resistant symptoms of mood disorders. Its discovery emerged from a reconceptualization of the biology of depression. Neurobiological insights into ketamine efficacy shed new light on the mechanisms underlying antidepressant efficacy. The rapid, profound, and sustainable antidepressant effects of ketamine seem poised to transform the treatment of depression, while mechanisms through which it may work are overturning the received wisdom regarding the underlying neurobiology.

In the evidence

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  • Argues that ketamine is a rapid-acting antidepressant effective for treatment-resistant mood disorders and that its mechanisms are reshaping views of depression neurobiology.

    Synthesized

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Other narrative reviews on ketamine for depression, most cited first.

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