| Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine: A Review of Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Clinical Applications |
| Paper ID : 1198-IGA |
| Authors |
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Sogol Fereydouni Balangani * Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Background and Aim: In recent years, the use of ketamine as antidepressant has garnered marked interest particularly for the cases resistant to routine treatment, however, the mechanism of ketamine action on depression treatment is still unclear. The aim of this study is to review the mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical applications of ketamine in treatment of depression. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Relevant studies were identified using the keywords "depression," "ketamine," "mechanism of action," "clinical applications," and "efficacy." Inclusion criteria were set to include only published papers after 2015 and those available in the English language. Studies that met these criteria were selected for review. Results: Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant, particularly for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine produces rapid mood improvement within hours. Its effects are driven by NMDA receptor inhibition, leading to increased glutamate, AMPA receptor activation, and stimulation of BDNF and mTOR pathways. This cascade enhances synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and connectivity in brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which are often impaired in depression. Conclusion: The studies emphasize how research into ketamine's mechanism of action has created a crucial connection between fundamental synaptic signaling pathways and their practical clinical implications. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Ketamine, Depression, Mechanism, Efficacy, Clinical Application |
| Status: Accepted |
