Neurobiological mechanisms of Antidepressant effects of ketamine

Abstract. The primary component of the drug ketamine, ketamine is a white powder derivative of phenylcyclohexylpiperidine that is widely used as an analgesic and dissociative anesthetic. Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that comes in levo- and dextro-conformations. It acts on the NMDA receptor and can quickly relieve depression symptoms; its effects last for a few days to a couple of weeks. Its antidepressant qualities have been established during the last 20 years, and ketamine research has made significant strides and discoveries lately. From a neurobiological perspective, this paper presents the primary molecular pathways via which ketamine considerably reduces depressed symptoms. It also summarizes and looks ahead to future directions for ketamine and depression research. It also gives us a deeper understanding of the antidepressant mechanism of ketamine and offers a theoretical framework for the creation of novel antidepressant medications. In the meantime, the quick antidepressant action of ketamine offers fresh perspectives on how to treat depression, which is anticipated to encourage innovation in the field. It also offers new ideas for treating other mental illnesses, like bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.