Want to know more about how ketamine works? Especially curious about how it transforms the lives of those with depression, anxiety, and pain? Love science? A Google or PubMed search will give you numerous articles on this topic. Here at Reset Ketamine, we are big readers and lovers of learning so we found three articles you should check out regarding depression and ketamine...especially if you are science nerds like us!
1. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive episodes
Key points:
This study is a review of multiple ketamine related studies. In these studies, patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder were randomized to received ketamine vs a control.
Ketamine was associated with higher rates of remission relative to saline or midazolam
2. Rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine correlates with astroglial plasticity in the hippocampus
Key points:
Astroglia (support cells in the brain) are altered in major depression
In rats who received ketamine, the astrocytes were larger that those rats which didn’t receive them.
Structural changes of astrocytes could be part of how ketamine rapidly improve depressive symptoms.
3. Do the dissociative side effects of ketamine mediate its antidepressant effects?
Key points:
108 patients with treatment resistant major depressive disorder and bipolar disorders received a single ketamine infusion (subanesthetic dose). They looked at the side effects of ketamine, and if these were related to the antidepressant effects
Dissociative experiences include sense of disconnection from the body, change in perception of time passing, or a sense of looking at things outside of your body.
Out of various factors, dissociative side effects predicted a more robust and sustained antidepressant.
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