Redefining Ketamine Pharmacology for Antidepressant Action: Synergistic NMDA and Opioid Receptor Interactions?

What is it about?

Ketamine is a medication made up of a mixture of two forms, (S)-ketamine and (R)-ketamine. It has been used for a long time as an anesthetic, pain reliever, and even as a recreational drug. More recently, ketamine and its forms are being used to treat depression, as well as related conditions like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and opioid addiction. Although ketamine is known for its effects on NMDA receptors in the brain, we suggest that its effects on opioid receptors should also be considered. We also discuss how ketamine might work for treating depression through a combination of effects on both NMDA and opioid receptors.

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