Approximately 30 % of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) respond to ketamine; however, no replicable predictors of response have been reported. The imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions may be implicated in the mechanism of action of ketamine. This study aimed to evaluate whether the ratio of glutamate and glutamine (Glx) to GABA levels at baseline in...
Selective N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subunit 2b negative allosteric modulators (NR2B NAMs) are being explored as potential new treatment options for major depressive disorder (MDD). This Phase Ib, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial was conducted in adults (N = 59) with moderate‐to‐severe MDD and insufficient response to ongoing antidepressant monotherapy....
Provided herein are novel nonhallucinogenic compounds as 5-HT2A agonists, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating mental health disorders, namely depression, anxiety, stress disorders and eating disorders, and processes for preparing such compounds.
Introduction and Background Patients with depression who fail to respond to at least two antidepressants in their current episode are considered to have Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). ECT is an effective treatment of TRD but cognitive side effects limit its use. Ketamine elicits a rapid antidepressant response in sub-anesthetic repeated doses. ECT and ketamine may be modulating the...
We read a recent article published by CNN titled “Ketamine offers lifeline for people with severe depression, suicidal thoughts1” with great interest. The article traces the story of a man with a 35-year history of severe refractory depression, suicidal ideation, and recent suicide attempts who was successfully treated with ketamine as a last resort after failing dozens of other pharmacologic...
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy appears safe and may offer durable relief from depression and anxiety in individuals with a life-threatening illness.
IMPORTANCE The comorbidity of major depressive disorder (MDD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often treated inadequately. This study evaluated the impact of adding the opioid receptor blocker, naltrexone, to the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine, for the treatment of MDD comorbid with AUD. In so doing, it also attempted to shed light on the contribution of opioid receptor...
Abstract This review systematically summarizes the research progress of ketamine and its interaction with specific brain regions in the context of neuropathic pain comorbid with depression. As a non-competitive inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, Ketamine exerts complex mechanisms and controversial topic. The structure and function of NMDA receptors, as well as the binding sites...
Structured Abstract Importance Ketamine has well known dissociative, analgesic, and antidepressant properties, but it is unknown whether the neurophysiologic effects that are associated with these properties can be modulated separately from one another. Given prior studies that link specific cortical oscillations with specific therapeutic effects, it is likely that modulating selective aspects...
Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is frequently encountered in clinical practice. The lack of response of the condition to conventional medications and augmentation strategies has spawned the search for novel treatment approaches. Psychedelic medications used in conjunction with intensive psychotherapy, so-called psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), have been evaluated in a limited...
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of esketamine in bipolar depression, focusing on suicide-related outcomes and manic switch across timeframe and demographic subgroups. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted in May 2025 using data from the TriNetX global collaborative network. Adults with bipolar depression treated with esketamine plus a mood stabilizer were propensity...
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe condition marked by persistent sadness and functional impairment. While electrocompulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for treatment-resistant cases, the comparative effects of propofol and ketamine as anesthetic agents remain unclear. Objective: To compare the effects of propofol and ketamine anesthesia on depression severity in patients...
Frontiers in PsychiatryAugust 4, 2025Fernando Mora, J. Ramos-Quiroga, Enrique Baca-García et al.5 citations
Introduction Depression is a highly prevalent disease that severely impacts the life of patients. Inadequate response to at least two antidepressants despite adequacy of treatment and adherence is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which entails a higher social and economic burden than non-resistant major depression. The lack of consensus on the definition of TRD and other aspects...
Frontiers in PsychiatryAugust 4, 2025Wierzbicka Małgorzata, Renata Kopczyk, Alexander L. Gerlach et al.1 citation
Depression prevalence is markedly elevated in oncological patients, particularly among head and neck cancer (HNC) cohorts, who face twice the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to other cancer populations. MDD in this context independently predicts poorer clinical outcomes and increased morbidity. HNC management often involves acute surgical interventions with disfiguring...
Abstract Background As accumulating evidence suggests ketamine's antisuicidal properties, there has been growing interest in elucidating its underlying mechanisms and predictive factors for treatment response. However, the predictive power of several demographic and clinical characteristics varied across previous studies. Additionally, some potential predictors, such as baseline depression...
L'EncephaleAugust 1, 2025Yara Bachir, Raymond Kassab, C. Hallal et al.
OBJECTIVE This case report explores the efficacy of intravenous Ketamine in treating active suicidal ideation in a 24-year-old female with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and functional neurological disorder (FND). CASE DESCRIPTION The patient, with a history of multiple suicide attempts and...
Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for major depression, though its efficacy and safety remain incompletely characterized in older adults. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence for ketamine in geriatric depression. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO was conducted. Prospective clinical trials were included, with age restriction to participants ≥60 years applied at...
Background & Aims Esketamine, a promising treatment for treatment-resistant depression, has shown potential advantages over traditional antidepressants. However, its mechanisms remain unclear. This study explores how esketamine alleviates depressive behaviors through activation of the BDNF/TrkB/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods Using a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) rat model,...
Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that effects around 60% of people living with cancer. It is severe, persistent, and imposes a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. Given FCR's profound impact on mental health and quality of life, adopting targeted interventions to mitigate its effects is essential. This study reports on the efficacy of...
BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are more prevalent in medical students than in the general population. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown evidence of effectiveness in treating these conditions. However, findings among medical students are mixed, particularly in Brazilian samples. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary...