Skip to content

Shared effects of electroconvulsive shocks and ketamine on neuroplasticity: A systematic review of animal models of depression.

Jesca E. de Jager, Rutger Boesjes, Gijs H J Roelandt, Ilektra Koliaki, Iris E C Sommer, Robert A Schoevers, Jasper O. Nuninga

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105796 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review Peer reviewed
Population Animal models of depression
Interventions Electroconvulsive shocks Ketamine
Topics Depression Ketamine Neuroplasticity Esketamine
Keywords Electroconvulsive shocks Ltp/ltd Antidepressants Electroconvulsive therapy Glutamate receptors Hippocampus Depression treatment Neuroplasticity and bdnf Antidepressant therapy
Citations 13
Key findings Hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF levels are consistently increased after both ECS and ketamine, and both interventions positively affect glutamatergic neurotransmission, astrocyte and neuronal morphology, synaptic density, vasculature, and functional plasticity.

Abstract

Electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) and ketamine are antidepressant treatments with a relatively fast onset of therapeutic effects compared to conventional medication and psychotherapy. While the exact neurobiological mechanisms underlying the antidepressant response of ECS and ketamine are unknown, both interventions are associated with neuroplasticity. Restoration of neuroplasticity may be a shared mechanism underlying the antidepressant efficacy of these interventions. In this systematic review, literature of animal models of depression is summarized to examine the possible role of neuroplasticity in ECS and ketamine on a molecular, neuronal, synaptic and functional level, and specifically to what extent these mechanisms are shared between both interventions. The results highlight that hippocampal neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are consistently increased after ECS and ketamine. Moreover, both interventions positively affect glutamatergic neurotransmission, astrocyte and neuronal morphology, synaptic density, vasculature and functional plasticity. However, a small number of studies investigated these processes after ECS. Understanding the shared fundamental mechanisms of fast-acting antidepressants can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with severe depression.

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Ketamine and Other NMDA Antagonists: Early Clinical Trials and Possible Mechanisms in Depression Participants with major depression in placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized... 2015 Systematic review and meta-analysis
Side-effects associated with ketamine use in depression: a systematic review. Patients with depression 2018 Systematic review
Comparative efficacy of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis Adults with unipolar or bipolar major depression 2020 Systematic review and meta-analysis n = 1,877
Single-dose infusion ketamine and non-ketamine N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of efficacy, safety and time trajectories Patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar depression 2016 Systematic review and meta-analysis n = 588
The use of ketamine as an antidepressant: a systematic review and meta‐analysis People with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder receiving ketamine infusion 2015 Meta-analysis n = 437

Citations in the library

Cited by 6

and 1 more in the library

Cites 53

and 48 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Depression Ketamine Neuroplasticity Esketamine

By condition and practice

Ketamine for depression