Cited by 228Treatment of Major DepressionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchElectroconvulsive Therapy Studies

Antidepressant effects of ketamine and the roles of AMPA glutamate receptors and other mechanisms beyond NMDA receptor antagonism

Open access
Aleksandrova, Lily R., Phillips, Anthony G., Wang, Yu Tian·2017·Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder remain poorly understood, and current antidepressant treatments have many shortcomings. The recent discovery that a single intravenous infusion of ketamine at a subanesthetic dose had robust, rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in individuals with treatment-resistant depression inspired tremendous interest in investigating the molecular mechanisms mediating ketamine’s clinical efficacy as well as increased efforts to identify new targets for antidepressant action. We review the clinical utility of ketamine and recent insights into its mechanism of action as an antidepressant, including the roles of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor inhibition, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor upregulation, activation of downstream synaptogenic signalling pathways and the production of an active ketamine metabolite, hydroxynorketamine. Emerging knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying both ketamine’s positive therapeutic and detrimental side effects will aid the development of a new generation of much-needed superior antidepressant agents.

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Crossref · 10.1503/jpn.160175

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  • TrkB activation triggers ERK and mTORC1 cascades, extends protein synthesis windows, and supports dendritic spine maturation.

    “TrkB activation triggers ERK and mTORC1 cascades, extends protein synthesis windows, and supports dendritic spine maturation”

    From Synaptic Plasticity—Intrinsic Excitability and Antidepressant Discovery (2026) · cites this paper as [339]

    The “Downstream signalling pathways, synaptic and structural plasticity” section (page not provided) says mTOR activation increases synaptic protein synthesis and promotes synapse formation and maturation. It does not establish that TrkB activation triggers ERK and mTORC1 cascades or extends a protein-synthesis window. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Ketamine and psychedelics activate cortical AMPAR and subsequently stimulate BDNF and synaptic efficacy.

    “Ketamine and psychedelics activate cortical AMPAR and subsequently stimulate BDNF and synaptic efficacy (111).”

    From Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics. (2021) · cites this paper as [111]

    The 'Role of AMPA receptors' section reports that ketamine activates AMPA receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex. The 'Downstream signalling pathways, synaptic and structural plasticity' section links ketamine’s AMPA-dependent effects to increased BDNF and synapse formation. These passages support the ketamine portion, but the paper does not establish the same sequence for psychedelics. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 17

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Authors
Aleksandrova, L. R., Phillips, A. G., & Wang, Y. T.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Venue
Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Published
2017-07
Volume
42
Issue
4
Pages
222-229
ISSN
  • 1180-4882 (ISSN-L)
  • 1488-2434
OpenAlex
W2628731659
Cited by
228
References
63
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 7
FWCI
2.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
Keywords
ketamine, antidepressant mechanism, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, NMDA receptor antagonism, AMPA receptors, hydroxynorketamine, ketamine side effects, antidepressant drug development
MeSH terms
Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Depression, Humans, Ketamine, Models, Neurological, Signal Transduction, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Receptors, AMPA

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