Journal of psychopharmacology
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J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) · Feb 2021
Repeated subcutaneous esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: Impact of the degree of treatment resistance and anxiety comorbidity.
A large number of studies indicate that subanesthetic doses of ketamine induce a fast antidepressant effect. Limited studies have investigated the subcutaneous (SC) route, and it remains unclear for whom this treatment is most suitable. ⋯ Our results suggest that higher levels of treatment resistance may be associated with a poor response to SC esketamine. Unlike traditional pharmacotherapies, it might benefit those with poor prognosis such as patients with depression and comorbid anxiety. Therefore, future research could investigate whether esketamine should receive a more prominent place in the treatment algorithm for TRD.
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J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) · Feb 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialRole of nitric oxide signaling in the antidepressant mechanism of action of ketamine: A randomized controlled trial.
Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with rapid antidepressant effects. Studies suggest that inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis plays a role in the mechanism of action of ketamine. ⋯ Our findings show no difference between the two conditions suggesting that the nitric oxide pathway may not play a primary role in ketamine's antidepressant or dissociative effects. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03102736).