Ketamine's rapid antidepressant action is due to specific synaptic effects, researchers report.
A new statistical model lays groundwork for understanding how ketamine induces an anesthetic response, steps to monitor unconscious patients, and provides new information about brain activity while unconscious.
In the absence of neural activity, BDNF expression can still be activated. The findings shed light on how therapeutic ketamine used has an antidepressant effect and how it works in both the long and short term.
A new study provides novel mechanistic insights into how ketamine exerts its antidepressant effects for those with depression.
The MeCP2 gene influences ketamine's behavioral effect and strengthens synapses, leading to an improvement in the drug's antidepressant effect over time.
A new model of schizophrenia opens the door to a better understanding of, and therapeutic options for brain dysfunction that is at the root of psychosis.
Ketamine and exposure to 60-hertz flickering light show promise as a potentially new, non-invasive therapy to help rejuvenate the aging brain.
One dose of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, increases dendritic spine density within 24 hours. The neurobiological changes lasted for a month following psilocybin exposure. Additionally, mice subjected to stress showed behavioral improvements and increased neurotransmitter activity after psilocybin exposure.
Mouse study reveals elevated dopamine levels preceded hallucination-like events, and artificially boosting dopamine levels induced more hallucination-like events. The behavioral effects could be blocked by administering haloperidol, an antipsychotic which blocks dopamine. The study sheds light on potential new treatments for psychotic disorders marked by hallucinations.
SSRI's, ketamine, and tricyclic antidepressants all bind with TrkB. The findings challenge the roles serotonin and glutamate receptors play in the effects of antidepressant medications.
A series of ketamine infusions reduced PTSD symptoms by up to 30% from baseline compared to treatment with midazolam, which reduced symptoms by 20% over the same period. Ketamine treatment significantly reduced three of four PTSD associated symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and negative alterations in cognition and mood.
With the risk of potential for abuse, some new fast-acting antidepressants, like Ketamine, may not be a magic "cure-all" for depression.
