Ketamine as a novel antidepressant: from synapse to behavior.
Recent reports of a rapid antidepressant effect of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine, even in treatment-resistant populations, have spurred translational therapeutic and neuroscience research aimed at elucidating ketamine's mechanism of action. This article provides a concise overview of research findings that pertain to the effects of low-dose ketamine at the cellular, neurocircuitry, and behavioral levels and describes an integrated model of the action of ketamine in the treatment of depression.
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. james.murrough@mssm.edu
J W
JW
Murrough
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007649:Ketamine