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Chen C, Wang M, Yu T, Feng W, Xu Y, Ning Y, Zhang B. Habenular functional connections are associated with depression state and modulated by ketamine. J Affect Disord 2024; 345:177-185. [PMID: 37879411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a widespread mental health disorder with complex neurobiological underpinnings. The habenula, known as the 'anti-reward center', is thought to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of depression. This study aims to elucidate the association between the functional connections of the habenula and depression severity and to explore the modulation of these connections by ketamine. METHODS We studied 177 participants from a 7-T resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging subset of the Human Connectome Project dataset to determine the associations between the functional connections of the habenula and depression. Additionally, we analyzed 60 depressed patients from our ketamine database to conduct a preliminary study on alterations in the functional connections of the habenula after ketamine infusions. We also investigated whether the baseline functional connectivity of the habenula is linked to subsequent improvement in depression. RESULTS We found that functional connections between the habenula and the substantia nigra, as well as the ventral tegmental area were negatively correlated with depression scores and elevated after ketamine infusions. Furthermore, the connection between the right habenula and the right substantia nigra was negatively associated with the improvement of depression. LIMITATIONS The Human Connectome Project dataset primarily consists of data from healthy participants, with varying levels of depression scores. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the habenula may facilitate depression by suppressing dopamine reward centers, and ketamine may relieve depression by disinhibiting these dopaminergic regions. This study may enhance our understanding of the neural underpinnings of depression and ketamine's antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfeng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingqia Wang
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanting Feng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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2
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Johnston JN, Kadriu B, Kraus C, Henter ID, Zarate CA. Ketamine in neuropsychiatric disorders: an update. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:23-40. [PMID: 37340091 PMCID: PMC10700638 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01632-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of ketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant led to a new era in the development of neuropsychiatric therapeutics, one characterized by an antidepressant response that occurred within hours or days rather than weeks or months. Considerable clinical research supports the use of-or further research with-subanesthetic-dose ketamine and its (S)-enantiomer esketamine in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders, as well as for the management of chronic pain. In addition, ketamine often effectively targets symptom domains associated with multiple disorders, such as anxiety, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation. This manuscript: 1) reviews the literature on the pharmacology and hypothesized mechanisms of subanesthetic-dose ketamine in clinical research; 2) describes similarities and differences in the mechanism of action and antidepressant efficacy between racemic ketamine, its (S) and (R) enantiomers, and its hydroxynorketamine (HNK) metabolite; 3) discusses the day-to-day use of ketamine in the clinical setting; 4) provides an overview of ketamine use in other psychiatric disorders and depression-related comorbidities (e.g., suicidal ideation); and 5) provides insights into the mechanisms of ketamine and therapeutic response gleaned from the study of other novel therapeutics and neuroimaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenessa N Johnston
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Bashkim Kadriu
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Translational and Experimental Medicine, Neuroscience at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christoph Kraus
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ioline D Henter
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Jiang Y, Wang X, Chen J, Zhang Y, Hashimoto K, Yang JJ, Zhou Z. Repeated ( S)-ketamine administration ameliorates the spatial working memory impairment in mice with chronic pain: role of the gut microbiota-brain axis. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2310603. [PMID: 38332676 PMCID: PMC10860353 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2310603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is commonly linked with diminished working memory. This study explores the impact of the anesthetic (S)-ketamine on spatial working memory in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model, focusing on gut microbiome. We found that multiple doses of (S)-ketamine, unlike a single dose, counteracted the reduced spontaneous alteration percentage (%SA) in the Y-maze spatial working memory test, without affecting mechanical or thermal pain sensitivity. Additionally, repeated (S)-ketamine treatments improved the abnormal composition of the gut microbiome (β-diversity), as indicated by fecal 16S rRNA analysis, and increased levels of butyrate, a key gut - brain axis mediator. Protein analysis showed that these treatments also corrected the upregulated histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and downregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampi of CCI mice. Remarkably, fecal microbiota transplantation from mice treated repeatedly with (S)-ketamine to CCI mice restored %SA and hippocampal BDNF levels in CCI mice. Butyrate supplementation alone also improved %SA, BDNF, and HDAC2 levels in CCI mice. Furthermore, the TrkB receptor antagonist ANA-12 negated the beneficial effects of repeated (S)-ketamine on spatial working memory impairment in CCI mice. These results indicate that repeated (S)-ketamine administration ameliorates spatial working memory impairment in CCI mice, mediated by a gut microbiota - brain axis, primarily through the enhancement of hippocampal BDNF - TrkB signaling by butyrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingming Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yibao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jian-Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Vecera CM, C. Courtes A, Jones G, Soares JC, Machado-Vieira R. Pharmacotherapies Targeting GABA-Glutamate Neurotransmission for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1572. [PMID: 38004437 PMCID: PMC10675154 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a term used to describe a particular type of major depressive disorder (MDD). There is no consensus about what defines TRD, with various studies describing between 1 and 4 failures of antidepressant therapies, with or without electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). That is why TRD is such a growing concern among clinicians and researchers, and it explains the necessity for investigating novel therapeutic targets beyond conventional monoamine pathways. An imbalance between two primary central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters, L-glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has emerged as having a key role in the pathophysiology of TRD. In this review, we provide an evaluation and comprehensive review of investigational antidepressants targeting these two systems, accessing their levels of available evidence, mechanisms of action, and safety profiles. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism has shown the most promise amongst the glutamatergic targets, with ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) robustly generating responses across trials. Two specific NMDA-glycine site modulators, D-cycloserine (DCS) and apimostinel, have also generated promising initial safety and efficacy profiles, warranting further investigation. Combination dextromethorphan-bupropion (AXS-05/Auvelity) displays a unique mechanism of action and demonstrated positive results in particular applicability in subpopulations with cognitive dysfunction. Currently, the most promising GABA modulators appear to be synthetic neurosteroid analogs with positive GABAA receptor modulation (such as brexanolone). Overall, advances in the last decade provide exciting perspectives for those who do not improve with conventional therapies. Of the compounds reviewed here, three are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): esketamine (Spravato) for TRD, Auvelity (dextromethorphan-bupropion) for major depressive disorder (MDD), and brexanolone (Zulresso) for post-partum depression (PPD). Notably, some concerns have arisen with esketamine and brexanolone, which will be detailed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney M. Vecera
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Alan C. Courtes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Gregory Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Jair C. Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Rodrigo Machado-Vieira
- John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston, 5615 H.Mark Crosswell Jr St, Houston, TX 77021, USA
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Hashimoto K. Arketamine for cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1513-1525. [PMID: 36786865 PMCID: PMC9925943 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01570-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment has been observed in patients with various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD). Although modern therapeutic drugs can improve certain symptoms (i.e., psychosis, depression) in these patients, these drugs have not been found to improve cognitive impairment. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (R,S)-ketamine has attracted attention as a rapidly acting antidepressant. In addition to its robust antidepressant effects, (R,S)-ketamine has been suggested to improve cognitive impairment in patients with MDD and BD, despite causing cognitive impairment in healthy control subjects. (R,S)-ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of (R)-ketamine (or arketamine) and (S)-ketamine (or esketamine). Arketamine has been found to have more potent antidepressant-like actions than esketamine in rodents. Interestingly, arketamine, but not esketamine, has been suggested to improve phencyclidine-induced cognitive deficits in mice. Furthermore, arketamine has been suggested to ameliorate cognitive deficits in rodent offspring after maternal immune activation. In the current article, it is proposed that arketamine has therapeutic potential for treating cognitive impairment in patients with psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the potential role of the gut-microbiome-brain axis in cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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6
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Lin WC, Su TP, Li CT, Wu HJ, Tsai SJ, Bai YM, Tu PC, Chen MH. Baseline cognitive function predicts full remission of suicidal symptoms among patients with treatment-resistant depression and strong suicidal ideation after low-dose ketamine infusion. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:795-801. [PMID: 37332247 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231182107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether pretreatment working memory and response inhibition function are associated with the rapid and sustained antisuicidal effect of low-dose ketamine among patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and strong suicidal ideation is unclear. METHODS We enrolled 65 patients with TRD, comprising 33 who received a single infusion of 0.5 mg/kg ketamine and 32 who received a placebo infusion. The participants performed working memory and go/no-go tasks prior to infusion. We assessed suicidal symptoms at baseline and on postinfusion Days 2, 3, 5, and 7. RESULTS The full remission of suicidal symptoms persisted for 3 days after a single ketamine infusion and the ketamine-related antisuicidal effect persisted for 1 week. Lower cognitive impairment at baseline (indicated by a higher rate of correct responses on a working memory task) was associated with the rapid and sustained antisuicidal effect of low-dose ketamine in patients with TRD and strong suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION Patients with TRD and strong suicidal ideation but low cognitive impairment may benefit the most from the antisuicidal effect of low-dose ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Tung-Ping Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Department of Psychiatry, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei
| | - Cheng-Ta Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Hui-Ju Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Pei-Chi Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
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Pochwat B, Krupa AJ, Siwek M, Szewczyk B. New investigational agents for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:1053-1066. [PMID: 35975761 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2113376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmacotherapy of depression is characterized by the delayed onset of action, chronic treatment requirements, and insufficient effectiveness. Ketamine, with its rapid action and long-lasting effects, represents a breakthrough in the modern pharmacotherapy of depression. AREAS COVERED : The current review summarizes the latest findings on the mechanism of the antidepressant action of ketamine and its enantiomers and metabolites. Furthermore, the antidepressant potential of psychedelics, non-hallucinogenic serotonergic modulators and metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands was discussed. EXPERT OPINION Recent data indicated that to achieve fast and long-acting antidepressant-like effects, compounds must induce durable effects on the architecture and density of dendritic spines in brain regions engaged in mood regulation. Such mechanisms underlie the actions of ketamine and psychedelics. These compounds trigger hallucinations; however, it is thought that these effects might be essential for their antidepressant action. Behavioral studies with serotonergic modulators affecting 5-HT1A (biased agonists), 5-HT4 (agonists), and 5-HT-7 (antagonists) receptors exert rapid antidepressant-like activity, but they seem to be devoid of this effects. Another way to avoid psychomimetic effects and achieve the desired rapid antidepressant-like effects is combined therapy. In this respect, ligands of metabotropic receptors show some potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Pochwat
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Julia Krupa
- Department of Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Siwek
- Department of Affective Disorders, Chair of Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bernadeta Szewczyk
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
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Lewis V, Rodrigue B, Arsenault E, Zhang M, Taghavi-Abkuh FF, Silva WCC, Myers M, Matta-Camacho E, Aguilar-Valles A. Translational control by ketamine and its implications for comorbid cognitive deficits in depressive disorders. J Neurochem 2022. [PMID: 35680556 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine has shown antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) resistant to first-line treatments and approved for use in this patient population. Ketamine induces several forms of synaptic plasticity, which are proposed to underlie its antidepressant effects. However, the molecular mechanism of action directly responsible for ketamine's antidepressant effects remains under active investigation. It was recently demonstrated that the effectors of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling pathway, namely, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding proteins 1 and 2 (4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2), are central in mediating ketamine-induced synaptic plasticity and behavioural antidepressant-like effect. 4E-BPs are a family of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) translation repressors inactivated by mTORC1. We observed that their expression in inhibitory interneurons mediates ketamine's effects in the forced swim and novelty suppressed feeding tests and the long-lasting inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus. In addition, another effector pathway that regulates translation elongation downstream of mTORC1, the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K), has been implicated in ketamine's behavioural effects. We will discuss how ketamine's rapid antidepressant effect depends on the activation of neuronal mRNA translation through 4E-BP1/2 and eEF2K. Furthermore, given that these pathways also regulate cognitive functions, we will discuss the evidence of ketamine's effect on cognitive function in MDD. Overall, the data accrued from pre-clinical research have implicated the mRNA translation pathways in treating mood symptoms of MDD. However, it is yet unclear whether the pro-cognitive potential of subanesthetic ketamine in rodents also engages these pathways and whether such an effect is consistently observed in the treatment-resistant MDD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vern Lewis
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Rodrigue
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily Arsenault
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Molly Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Mysa Myers
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edna Matta-Camacho
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Wang M, Chen X, Hu Y, Zhou Y, Wang C, Zheng W, Liu W, Lan X, Ning Y, Zhang B. Functional connectivity between the habenula and default mode network and its association with the antidepressant effect of ketamine. Depress Anxiety 2022; 39:352-362. [PMID: 34964207 DOI: 10.1002/da.23238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, an animal model for depression has shown that ketamine, an N-methyl- d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, elicits a rapid-acting antidepressant effect by blocking NMDAR-dependent bursting in the lateral habenula (Hb). However, evidence from human studies remains scarce. METHODS This study explored the changes of resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of the Hb in responders and nonresponders who was diagnosed with unipolar or bipolar depression before and after ketamine treatment. The response was defined as a ≥50% reduction in the total MADRS score at Day 13 (24 h following the sixth infusion) in comparison with the baseline score. Correlation analyses were performed to identify an association between symptom improvement and the signals of the significantly different brain regions detected in the above imaging analysis. RESULTS In the post-hoc region-of-interest analysis, an enhanced baseline FC between Hb and several hubs of the default mode network (including angulate cortex, precuneus, medial prefrontal cortex, and middle temporal cortex) was observed in responders (≥50% decrease in the Montgomery-Asberg Scale at 2 weeks) compared with nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS These pilot findings may suggest a potential neural mechanism by which ketamine exerts its robust antidepressant efficacy via downregulation of aberrant habenular FC with parts of the default mode network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqia Wang
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiru Hu
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangling Zhou
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengyu Wang
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weijian Liu
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lan
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuping Ning
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- PsyNI Lab, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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10
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Zhou Y, Wang C, Lan X, Li W, Chao Z, Wu K, McIntyre RS, Ning Y. Cognitive Function Mediates the Anti-suicide Effect of Repeated Intravenous Ketamine in Adult Patients With Suicidal Ideation. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:779326. [PMID: 35586411 PMCID: PMC9108147 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.779326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prior research has shown that ketamine has anti-suicide effects. Additional evidence also suggests that ketamine may offer pro-cognitive effects. Herein, we propose that the anti-suicide effects of ketamine are partially mediated via pro-cognitive effects. We aimed to determine whether improvement in cognitive function mediated change in suicidal ideation was associated with ketamine treatment. METHODS Unipolar or bipolar depressive patients (n = 86) with suicidal ideation received six infusions of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) over 2 weeks. The current severity of suicidal ideation and depression symptoms were assessed with the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), respectively, at baseline, days 13 and 26. Cognitive domains, including processing speed, working memory, visual learning, and verbal learning were measured with the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery at the same time points. RESULTS Mediation analysis showed a significant total effect of ketamine treatment on SSI score (coef = -1.853, 95%CI [-2.2, -1.5]). The direct and total indirect (MADRS total score and any of cognitive domains) effects of ketamine on suicidal ideation both were statistically significant (direct: coef = -1.064 to -1.352; total indirect: coef = -0.501 to -0.788). MADRS total score and processing speed (but not other cognitive domains) were significant partial mediators of the association between ketamine treatment and improvements in suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms severity and processing speed performance partially mediated improvements in suicidal ideation after repeated ketamine infusions in persons with unipolar or bipolar depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengyu Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weicheng Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyuan Chao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China.,School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence, Mississauga, ON, Canada.,Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Poul Hansen Depression Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yuping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wei Y, Chang L, Hashimoto K. Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:559-573. [PMID: 33963284 PMCID: PMC8960399 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01121-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of robust antidepressant actions exerted by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist (R,S)-ketamine has been a crucial breakthrough in mood disorder research. (R,S)-ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of (R)-ketamine (arketamine) and (S)-ketamine (esketamine). In 2019, an esketamine nasal spray from Johnson & Johnson was approved in the United States of America and Europe for treatment-resistant depression. However, an increasing number of preclinical studies show that arketamine has greater potency and longer-lasting antidepressant-like effects than esketamine in rodents, despite the lower binding affinity of arketamine for the NMDAR. In clinical trials, non-ketamine NMDAR-related compounds did not exhibit ketamine-like robust antidepressant actions in patients with depression, despite these compounds showing antidepressant-like effects in rodents. Thus, the rodent data do not necessarily translate to humans due to the complexity of human psychiatric disorders. Collectively, the available studies indicate that it is unlikely that NMDAR plays a major role in the antidepressant action of (R,S)-ketamine and its enantiomers, although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying antidepressant actions of (R,S)-ketamine and its enantiomers remain unclear. In this paper, we review recent findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of (R,S)-ketamine and its potent enantiomer arketamine. Furthermore, we discuss the possible role of the brain-gut-microbiota axis and brain-spleen axis in stress-related psychiatric disorders and in the antidepressant-like action of arketamine. Finally, we discuss the potential of arketamine as a treatment for cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders, Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wei
- grid.411500.1Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan ,grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan China
| | - Lijia Chang
- grid.411500.1Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
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Hippocampal neuropathology in suicide: Gaps in our knowledge and opportunities for a breakthrough. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:542-552. [PMID: 34906612 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a major global hazard. There is a need for increasing suicide awareness and effective and evidence-based interventions, targeting both suicidal ideation and conduct. However, anti-suicide pharmacological effects are unsatisfactory. The human hippocampus is vulnerable to neuropsychiatric damages and subsequently releases psychobiological signals. Human hippocampal studies of suicide completers have shown mechanistic changes in neurobiology, which, however, could not reflect the neuropathological 'fingerprints' of fatal suicide ideations and suicide attempts. In this review, we provide several leading theories of suicide, including the serotoninergic system, Wnt pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signalling, and discuss the evidence for their roles in suicide and treatment. Moreover, the cognitive dysfunctions associated with suicide risk are discussed, as well as the novel evidence on cognitive therapies that decrease suicidal ideation. We highlight the need to apply multi-omics techniques (including single-nucleus RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry histochemistry) on hippocampal samples from donors who died by suicide or legal euthanasia, to clarify the aetiology of suicide and propose novel therapeutic strategies.
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Chen MH, Lin WC, Li CT, Tsai SJ, Wu HJ, Bai YM, Hong CJ, Tu PC, Su TP. Baseline Working Memory Predicted Response to Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2021; 55:109-114. [PMID: 34530484 DOI: 10.1055/a-1589-6301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pretreatment neurocognitive function may predict the treatment response to low-dose ketamine infusion in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the association between working memory function at baseline and the antidepressant efficacy of ketamine infusion remains unclear. METHODS A total of 71 patients with TRD were randomized to one of three treatment groups: 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, 0.2 mg/kg ketamine, or normal saline. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline and after treatment. Cognitive function was evaluated using working memory and go-no-go tasks at baseline. RESULTS A generalized linear model with adjustments for demographic characteristics, treatment groups, and total HDRS scores at baseline revealed only a significant effect of working memory function (correct responses and omissions) on the changes in depressive symptoms measured by HDRS at baseline (F=12.862, p<0.05). Correlation analysis further showed a negative relationship (r=0.519, p=0.027) between pretreatment working memory function and changes in HDRS scores in the 0.5 mg/kg ketamine group. DISCUSSION An inverse relationship between pretreatment working memory function and treatment response to ketamine infusion may confirm that low-dose ketamine infusion is beneficial and should be reserved for patients with TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Hong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Jee Hong
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ping Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Moving toward a process-oriented perspective in the personalized treatment of depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:413-415. [PMID: 33666694 PMCID: PMC7981323 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01249-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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