Understanding the variability in ketamine’s efficacy in managing treatment-resistant depression

• DOI: 10.1007/s44202-024-00277-5
• Publication Date: 2024-10-31T11:02:40Z
• Authors: Joshua W. Bryan
• Keywords: Depression; Treatment-Resistant Depression

Ketamine, often associated with its frequent illicit recreational use, is renowned as an approved alternative for treatment-resistant depression. This paper evaluates the mechanism of ketamine's role in treating depression, emphasising positive safety profile and acute onset action. Ketamine's action involves antagonism N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors, leading to increased glutamate production brain regions mood regulation. Moreover, ketamine counteracts effects chronic stress by promoting synaptic plasticity neurogenesis. However, response varies among individuals, prompting need further investigation into factors influencing efficacy, such route administration, dose rate at which it delivered. Other variables past traumatic experiences genetic predispositions may also play a significant determining individual's therapy, raising importance tailored treatment approaches. Furthermore, there growing interest investigating synergy alongside other therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), means enhance outcomes modern psychiatry.