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Ketamine enantiomers in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects.

John Muller, Sahana Pentyala, James Dilger, Srinivas Pentyala

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology June 2016 DOI: 10.1177/2045125316631267 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Interventions Ketamine R(-) ketamine S(+) ketamine electroconvulsive therapy
Topics Depression Ketamine Esketamine
Keywords Electroconvulsive therapy
Key findings The authors review evidence suggesting ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has therapeutic effects in major depression and bipolar disorder, particularly in treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidal ideation. The review covers ketamine's mechanism of action, efficacy, side effects, the individual effects of its R(-) and S(+) isomers, and its combination with electroconvulsive therapy.

Abstract

Recent evidence has suggested that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine shows significant therapeutic effects in major depression and bipolar disorder. This effect is especially important in treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidal ideation. In this review we explain the mechanism of action, drug efficacy, and the side effects of ketamine; the antidepressive effects of ketamine; the individual effects of ketamine isomers, R(-) ketamine and S(+) ketamine; the effects of the combination of ketamine with electroconvulsive therapy; and the possible use of ketamine in treating depression.

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