Review of Ketamine as a Rapid Antidepressant for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Sankung X. Darboe, Peter J. Koszuta, Paul W. Lee, Mannaa I. Mannaa
Scholarly Research In Progress November 8, 2021 DOI: 10.64057/001c.142457 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Ketamine shows rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, supported by animal studies and randomized controlled trials, with mechanisms involving receptor-level actions. The authors call for more trials to assess long-term safety, efficacy in other disorders, and cost reduction. |
Abstract
The anesthetic agent ketamine has been under investigation as a potential antidepressant for two decades. Animal studies and subsequent randomized control trials for patients have provided extensive evidence of ketamine’s rapid antidepressant outcomes both structurally at the receptor level as well as behaviorally. A review of current literature hones in on the putative rapid mechanisms of action of ketamine, which place the drug ahead of nearly all current antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients. Clinical investigations, safety, and ethical implications are highlighted along with the need for reduced treatment cost. Finally, to more fully understand the effects of long-term use, efficacy in other types of psychiatric disorders, and interactions with comorbidities, more extensive trials are warranted.