title: Ketamine enantiomers in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sahana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pentyala
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dilger
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pentyala
keywords: depression; electroconvulsive therapy; ketamine