Emerging role of glutamate in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder.
Brain Research Reviews October 2009 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2009.05.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Ketamine ceftriaxone minocycline N-acetyl-L-cysteine |
| Topics | Depression |
| Key findings | The author argues that the glutamatergic system plays an important role in the neurobiology and treatment of major depressive disorder, beyond the traditionally emphasized monoaminergic systems. Some clinical studies indicate that the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant MDD patients. The review identifies NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors, ceftriaxone, minocycline, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine as potential new therapeutic targets. |
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, chronic, recurrent mental illness that affects millions of individuals worldwide. To date, the monoaminergic systems (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) have received the most attention in the neurobiology of MDD, and all classes of antidepressants target these monoaminergic systems. Accumulating evidence suggests that the glutamatergic system plays an important role in the neurobiology and treatment of this disease. Some clinical studies have demonstrated that the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant patients with MDD. Here, the author reviews the recent findings on the role of the glutamatergic system in the neurobiology of MDD and in new potential therapeutic targets (NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors, ceftriaxone, minocycline, N-acetyl-L-cysteine) for MDD.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets | 2012 | Review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse | 2003 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 31
- R-ketamine: a rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant without psychotomimetic side effects Translational Psychiatry September 1, 2015
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor Molecular Psychiatry May 7, 2021
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of ketamine enantiomers and its metabolites Translational Psychiatry November 7, 2019
- A Single Subanesthetic Dose of Ketamine Relieves Depression-like Behaviors Induced by Neuropathic Pain in Rats Anesthesiology October 1, 2011
- To use or not to use: an update on licit and illicit ketamine use Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation March 1, 2011
and 26 more in the library
Cites 9
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Subanesthetic Effects of the Noncompetitive NMDA Antagonist, Ketamine, in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry March 1, 1994
- Recent advances in the phencyclidine model of schizophrenia American Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 1991
- Comparative and Interactive Human Psychopharmacologic Effects of Ketamine and Amphetamine Archives of General Psychiatry September 1, 2005
- Increased anterior cingulate cortical activity in response to fearful faces: a neurophysiological biomarker that predicts rapid antidepressant response to ketamine. Biological Psychiatry February 15, 2009
and 4 more in the library