859 lines
71 KiB
Text
859 lines
71 KiB
Text
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" data-nid="11350">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<meta name="description" content="NIMH supported science and NIMH researchers helped pave the way for the development of ketamine—a groundbreaking treatment that has improved the lives of those who are impacted by treatment-resistant depression." />
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2023/cracking-the-ketamine-code" />
|
||
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)" />
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Cracking the Ketamine Code" />
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="NIMH supported science and NIMH researchers helped pave the way for the development of ketamine—a groundbreaking treatment that has improved the lives of those who are impacted by treatment-resistant depression." />
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/news/science-news/2023/Social%20Media_Ketamine_AdobeStock_481847089.jpg?itok=nST-sJwg" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="NIMH supported science and NIMH researchers helped pave the way for the development of ketamine—a groundbreaking treatment that has improved the lives of those who are impacted by treatment-resistant depression." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Cracking the Ketamine Code" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@nimhgov" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/news/science-news/2023/Social%20Media_Ketamine_AdobeStock_481847089.jpg?itok=nST-sJwg" />
|
||
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="lKfmfhtNgohd8-snRwpaLWOcbbkS_saLoN9IUJKBvUM" />
|
||
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
|
||
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
|
||
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
|
||
<script>
|
||
var mainDomain = document.location.hostname.match(/(([^.\/]+\.[^.\/]{2,3}\.[^.\/]{2})|(([^.\/]+\.)[^.\/]{2,4}([^.\/]+\.)[^.\/]{2,4}))(\/.*)?$/)[1];
|
||
try{dataLayer.push({'baseDomain': mainDomain.toLowerCase()});}
|
||
catch(err){ dataLayer = [{'baseDomain': mainDomain.toLowerCase()}];} (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
|
||
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
|
||
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
|
||
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
|
||
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-T58NF4');
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>
|
||
window._monsido = window._monsido || {
|
||
token: "VsAIOc905Tjeazm18evt9w",
|
||
statistics: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
cookieLessTracking: true,
|
||
documentTracking: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
documentCls: "",
|
||
documentIgnoreCls: "",
|
||
documentExt: ["doc","docx","pdf","ppt","pptx","rtf","txt","xls","xlsx"],
|
||
},
|
||
},
|
||
heatmap: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
},
|
||
};
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://app-script.monsido.com/v2/monsido-script.js" async></script>
|
||
<link rel="icon" href="/themes/nimhtheme/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
|
||
|
||
<title>Cracking the Ketamine Code - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)</title>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_ZTsUHDjQheI_A-r3j4HasLaMAxDXgu8kk05RpTWGtEs.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJxNybsNwCAMBcCFIMxkwgMs-RPFbtg-ba49xWBqkyXxXjc9yW7FWHduKNoS7yQ18gjb-of7EtTpllHiREJbp8AH6ZgfHQ" />
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_hCFOd9odoQi9Sb_-X1tdJUsdnGzf9PI7mC1Uc81hfRY.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJxNybsNwCAMBcCFIMxkwgMs-RPFbtg-ba49xWBqkyXxXjc9yW7FWHduKNoS7yQ18gjb-of7EtTpllHiREJbp8AH6ZgfHQ" />
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,700|Roboto:400,500|Petit+Formal+Script" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body>
|
||
<a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable">
|
||
Skip to main content
|
||
</a>
|
||
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-T58NF4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
|
||
</noscript>
|
||
|
||
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
|
||
<div class="layout-container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-governmentdomainbanner" class="block block-block-content block-block-content976fab65-59c7-46e1-bf9f-cf5178b680b4">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><section class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government"><div class="usa-accordion"><header class="usa-banner__header"><div class="usa-banner__inner"><div class="grid-col-auto"><img class="usa-banner__header-flag" aria-hidden="true" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/us_flag_small.png" alt></div><div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true"><p class="usa-banner__header-text">An official website of the United States government</p><p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p></div><p class="m-0 p-0"><button class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" type="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default"><span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span></button></p></div></header><div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default" hidden><div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"><div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"><p><img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt aria-hidden="true"></p><div class="usa-media-block__body"><p><strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br>A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.</p></div></div><div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"><p><img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt aria-hidden="true"></p><div class="usa-media-block__body"><p><strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br>A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg class="usa-banner__lock-image" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false"><title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /></svg></span>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.</p></div></div></div></div></div></section></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="header-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="header-container">
|
||
<header role="banner">
|
||
<div id="main-header-layout" >
|
||
<div id="block-sitebranding-2" class="block block-system block-system-branding-block">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a href="/" title="NIMH Home" rel="home">
|
||
<img src="/themes/nimhtheme/nimh-logo.svg" alt="NIMH Logo" />
|
||
</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-incrisisstickybox" class="block block-block-content block-block-content34cda229-f96b-4500-8796-12d7fc307d77">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div id="nimh-in-crisis-callout"><a href="https://988lifeline.org/"><i class="fa-light fa-circle-exclamation" aria-hidden="true"></i> In Crisis? Call or Text 988 <i class="fa-regular fa-angles-right"></i></a></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-tagline" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentf3b653dc-7e5d-4582-8234-a93001424fde">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p id="tagline">Transforming the understanding
|
||
<br>
|
||
and treatment of mental illnesses.
|
||
</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-searchsite" class="block block-block-content block-block-content0946d2cf-ffcf-44fb-b65d-3057740945c0">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="m-0 text-small text-right d-none d-lg-block"><a href="/">Home</a> | <a href="/site-info/contact-nimh" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3b82dd34-6040-4763-a9ff-db0c3d5b6a38" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Contact Us</a> | <a href="/health/find-help" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="95a25c22-6bc4-4ac3-ad7b-d3aca76eaed0" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Help for Mental Illnesses</a></p><div class="mobile-helper-icons"><span class="hidden-md hidden-lg"><i class="fas fa-search search_icon"></i></span> <span class="menu_icon sb-toggle-right hidden-md hidden-lg"><i class="fas fa-bars"></i></span></div><form class="search-in-banner" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="/search-nimh" id="search_form" method="get" name="Search" role="search"><p class="mt-2 mb-1"><label for="query"><span class="hidden">Search the NIMH Website: </span></label><input class="searchbox usagov-search-autocomplete ui-autocomplete-input" aria-label="Search the NIMH website" autocomplete="off" id="query" name="query" placeholder="Search the NIMH website" type="text"> <input type="submit" value="Search"></p></form><div class="hidden-xs hidden-sm"><p class="small text-right m-0"><a href="/health/topics/espanol" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d6df42f3-6876-496e-918c-cc34cc7681f7" data-entity-substitution="canonical" lang="es">Información en español</a></p></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</header>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div> <div id="menu_horizontal" class="primary-menu-container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<nav id="block-nimhtheme-main-menu" role="navigation" aria-label="Main navigation" id="block-nimhtheme-main-menu">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<ul class="main-menu-content">
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" class="main-menu__health" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" class="main-menu__getinvolved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" class="main-menu__research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" class="main-menu__funding" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" class="main-menu__news" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" class="main-menu__about" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="megamenu_container">
|
||
<div id="health-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/topics">
|
||
<h2>Health Topics</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH offers expert-reviewed information on mental disorders and a range of topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/statistics">
|
||
<h2>Statistics</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/publications">
|
||
<h2>Brochures and Fact Sheets</h2>
|
||
<p>Download, read, and order free NIMH brochures and fact sheets about mental disorders and related topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/find-help">
|
||
<h2>Help for Mental Illnesses</h2>
|
||
<p>If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/trials">
|
||
<h2>Clinical Trials</h2>
|
||
<p>If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="getinvolved-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/public-involvement">
|
||
<h2>Stakeholder Engagement</h2>
|
||
<p>Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/connect-with-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Connect with NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about NIMH newsletters, public participation in grant reviews, research funding, clinical trials, the NIMH Gift Fund, and connecting with NIMH on social media. </p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/digital-shareables">
|
||
<h2>Digital Shareables</h2>
|
||
<p>Use these free education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health and related topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/science-education">
|
||
<h2>Science Education</h2>
|
||
<p>Use these free digital, outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/events">
|
||
<h2>Upcoming Observances and Related Events</h2>
|
||
<p>Get Involved observances calendar</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="research-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Research Funded by NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH supports research at universities, medical centers, and other institutions via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Learn more about NIMH research areas, policies, resources, and initiatives.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Research Conducted at NIMH (Intramural Research Program)</h2>
|
||
<p>The Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP) is the internal research division of the NIMH. Over 40 research groups conduct basic neuroscience research and clinical investigations of mental illnesses, brain function, and behavior at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more about research conducted at NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/priority-research-areas">
|
||
<h2>Priority Research Areas</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about NIMH priority areas for research and funding that have the potential to improve mental health care over the short, medium, and long term.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh/research-resources">
|
||
<h2>Resources for Researchers</h2>
|
||
<p>Information about resources such as data, tissue, model organisms and imaging resources to support the NIMH research community.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="funding-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/opportunities-announcements">
|
||
<h2>Opportunities & Announcements</h2>
|
||
<p>Find all NIMH and cross-NIH funding opportunities.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/funding-strategy-for-research-grants">
|
||
<h2>Funding Strategy for Grants</h2>
|
||
<p>Read more about the NIMH Strategic Plan for Research, Strategic Research Priorities, the anatomy of NIMH funding, and our yearly funding strategy for research grants.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process">
|
||
<h2>Application Process</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore the NIMH grant application process, including how to write your grant, how to submit your grant, and how the review process works.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/managing-your-grant">
|
||
<h2>Managing Grants</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about how NIMH manages research grants, including policies and reporting requirements.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/clinical-research">
|
||
<h2>Clinical Research</h2>
|
||
<p>Find the latest NIH and NIMH policies, guidance, and resources for clinical research.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/training">
|
||
<h2>Training</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore NIMH research training and career development opportunities.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/sbir">
|
||
<h2>Small Business Research</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about funding opportunities for small businesses.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<section class="box">
|
||
<h3>Quick Links</h3>
|
||
<p><a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements/funding-grant-news">Funding & Grant News</a></p>
|
||
<p><a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements/clinical-trials-foas">Support for Clinical Trials at NIMH</a></p>
|
||
</section>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="news-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/science-updates">
|
||
<h2>Science Updates</h2>
|
||
<p>List of NIMH science updates including press releases, research highlights, and institute announcements.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/events">
|
||
<h2>Meetings and Events</h2>
|
||
<p>Details about upcoming events—including meetings, conferences, workshops, lectures, webinars, and chats—sponsored by NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/media">
|
||
<h2>Multimedia</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH videos and podcasts featuring science news, lecture series, meetings, seminars, and special events.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/social-media">
|
||
<h2>Social Media</h2>
|
||
<p>The latest information and resources on mental disorders shared on X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/press-resources">
|
||
<h2>Press Resources</h2>
|
||
<p>Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/email-updates">
|
||
<h2>Email Updates</h2>
|
||
<p>Updates about mental health topics, including NIMH news, upcoming events, mental disorders, funding opportunities, and research.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/innovation-speaker-series">
|
||
<h2>Innovation Speaker Series</h2>
|
||
<p>An annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<h3>Contact the Press Office</h3>
|
||
<p>301-443-4536</p>
|
||
<p><a class="single-link" href="mailto:NIMHpress@nih.gov">NIMHpress@nih.gov</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="about-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/director">
|
||
<h2>About the Acting NIMH Director</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about the Acting Director of the NIMH, Shelli Avenevoli, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/advisory-boards-and-groups">
|
||
<h2>Advisory Boards and Groups</h2>
|
||
<p>Read about the boards and groups that advise and provide guidance to the Institute.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/strategic-planning-reports">
|
||
<h2>Strategic Plan</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about NIMH's roadmap for the Institute’s research priorities over the next five years.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/organization">
|
||
<h2>Offices and Divisions</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about the functions of each NIMH office and division.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/budget">
|
||
<h2>Budget</h2>
|
||
<p>Read the annual NIMH Congressional Justifications.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/careers">
|
||
<h2>Careers at NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Search for jobs, including scientific, administrative and executive careers at NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/staff-directories">
|
||
<h2>Staff Directories</h2>
|
||
<p>Find the names, telephone numbers, email addresses, and office locations of NIMH staff.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/nimh-history">
|
||
<h2>History</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore key milestones, discoveries, and the impact of NIMH-funded studies on mental health.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/connect-with-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Getting to NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Find directions, maps, parking information, and other visitor information for NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<h3>Quick Links</h3>
|
||
<p><strong><a href="/about/connect-with-nimh/donate-to-mental-health-research" title="Donate to Mental Health Research">Contribute to Mental Health Research</a></strong></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</nav>
|
||
<nav id="block-mobilenavigation" role="navigation" aria-label="Mobile navigation" id="block-mobilenavigation">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p class="mobile-menu-close"><i class="fas fa-times fa-2x"></i></p>
|
||
<ul class="main-menu-content">
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" class="mobile-menu-top-level health-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/topics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1926">Health Topics</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/statistics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1243">Statistics</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/publications" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1927">Brochures and Fact Sheets</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/find-help" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1944">Help for Mental Illnesses</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/trials" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2009">Clinical Trials</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" class="mobile-menu-top-level getinvolved-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/public-involvement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2127">Stakeholder Engagement</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/connect-with-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8488">Connect with NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/digital-shareables" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7521">Digital Shareables</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/science-education" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/10164">Science Education</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/events" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8489">Upcoming Observances and Related Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" class="mobile-menu-top-level research-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1992">Research Funded by NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1123">Research Conducted at NIMH (Intramural Research Program)</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" class="mobile-menu-top-level funding-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1029">Opportunities & Announcements</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/funding-strategy-for-research-grants/strategy-for-research-grants" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1137">Strategy for Research Grants</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1995">Grant Writing & Approval Process</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/managing-your-grant" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1140">Managing Grants</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/clinical-research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1190">Clinical Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/training" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2007">Research Training and Career Development Opportunities</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/sbir" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1674">Small Business Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" class="mobile-menu-top-level news-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/science-updates" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4730">Science Updates</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/events" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1986">Meetings and Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5039">Multimedia</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/social-media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1659">Social Media</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/press-resources" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1653">Press Resources</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/email-updates" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2023">Email Updates</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/innovation-speaker-series" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7539">Innovation Speaker Series</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" class="mobile-menu-top-level about-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/director" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7459">About the Acting NIMH Director</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/advisory-boards-and-groups" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1964">Advisory Boards and Groups</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/strategic-planning-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1959">Strategic Plan</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/organization" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1963">Offices and Divisions</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/budget" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1967">Budget</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/careers" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1960">Careers at NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/staff-directories" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2030">Staff Directories</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/nimh-history" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/11838">History</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/connect-with-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7564">Getting to NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</nav>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div> <div class="submenu">
|
||
<div class="container">
|
||
<div class="row">
|
||
<div class="col-md-12">
|
||
<ul class="group navbar">
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/science-updates" class="navbari topnav subroot">Science Updates</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/events" class="navbari topnav subroot">Meetings and Events</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/media" class="navbari topnav subroot">Multimedia</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/social-media" class="navbari topnav subroot">Social Media</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/press-resources" class="navbari topnav subroot">Press Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/email-updates" class="navbari topnav subroot">Email Updates</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/innovation-speaker-series" class="navbari topnav subroot">Innovation Speaker Series</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="wrapper" class="pt-3 pt-sm-3 pt-md-3 pt-lg-0">
|
||
<div class="container pt-5 pt-sm-5 pt-md-5 pt-lg-0">
|
||
<div class="row"><div class="col-md-12 hidden-xs"><div class="breadcrumbs"><nav id="breadcrumbs" class="breadcrumbs__nav" aria-label="breadcrumb links" data-dirids="2293 2764 3446"><a href="/" data-dirlevel="0">Home</a> > <a href="/news" data-refid="2128" data-dirlevel="1" data-dirid="2293" >News & Events</a> > <a href="/news/science-updates" data-refid="4730" data-dirlevel="2" data-dirid="2764" >Science Updates</a> > <a href="/news/science-updates/2023" data-refid="10792" data-dirlevel="3" data-dirid="3446" >Science Updates from 2023</a> > <span data-refid="11350" data-dirlevel="4" data-dirid="3446" data-isleaf="1">Cracking the Ketamine Code</span></nav></div></div></div>
|
||
<div id="main_container">
|
||
<section class="share_links_wrap">
|
||
<div class="share_links_wrap_inner">
|
||
<h6 class="share_links_header">Share Page</h6>
|
||
<div class="share_links">
|
||
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1086499805165807&display=popup&href=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2023%2Fcracking-the-ketamine-code&redirect_uri=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2023%2Fcracking-the-ketamine-code" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on Facebook"><span class="facebook-share"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2023%2Fcracking-the-ketamine-code&text=Cracking%20the%20Ketamine%20Code" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on X"><span class="twitter-share"><i class="fab fa-x-twitter"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2023%2Fcracking-the-ketamine-code&title=Cracking%20the%20Ketamine%20Code" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on LinkedIn"><span class="linkedin-share"><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin-in"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="mailto:?subject=I%20Saw%20This%20on%20www.nimh.nih.gov%20--%20Cracking%20the%20Ketamine%20Code&body=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2023%2Fcracking-the-ketamine-code" aria-label="Share this page by email"><span class="email-share"><i class="fas fa-envelope"></i></span></a>
|
||
<button class="print_icon" aria-label="Open print helper modal"><i class="fas fa-print"></i></button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
<div class="row">
|
||
<div class="flex_main_container col-md-12">
|
||
<div class="visible-xs sidebar-menu-helper">
|
||
<p class="leftnav_menu_toggle sb-toggle-left">Menu <i class="fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right"
|
||
aria-hidden="true"></i></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<aside class="layout-sidebar-first" role="complementary">
|
||
<section class="navblock areanav_child">
|
||
<h2 class="navblock__header">Contact(s)</h2>
|
||
<p class="navblock__text"><span class="vcard"><span
|
||
class="fn org">NIMH Press Office</span><br> <span class="tel">301-443-4536</span><br> <a
|
||
href="mailto:NIMHpress@nih.gov">NIMHpress@nih.gov</a></span></p>
|
||
<br>
|
||
<p><a href="/news/press-resources">Press Resources</a></p>
|
||
</section>
|
||
<section class="navblock areanav_child">
|
||
<h2 class="navblock__header">More Science Updates about</h2>
|
||
<ul class="navblock__list">
|
||
<li class="navblock__list__item link-container"><a href="/news/science-updates/nimhs-75th-anniversary"
|
||
class="single-link">75th Anniversary</a></li>
|
||
<li class="navblock__list__item link-container"><a href="/news/science-updates/depression"
|
||
class="single-link">Depression</a></li>
|
||
<li class="navblock__list__item link-container"><a href="/news/science-updates/treatments"
|
||
class="single-link">Treatments</a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</section>
|
||
</aside>
|
||
<div id="main_content" class="areanav-true sidebar-false">
|
||
<main id="main-content">
|
||
<article id="main_content_inner">
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-local-tasks"></div>
|
||
<div class="titleblock">
|
||
<h1 class="titleblock__title" id="title">Cracking the Ketamine Code</h1>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<p class="pagestamp_news_wrap">
|
||
<time class="pagestamp_news_time" datetime="2023-10-27">October 27, 2023</time>
|
||
• <span class="pagestamp_news_type">Feature Story</span> • <span class='anniversary-tag'>75th Anniversary</span></p>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><div class="group feature-box"><h2>At a Glance</h2><ul><li>Treatment-resistant depression affects nearly 3 million people in the United States.</li><li>While monoaminergic antidepressants have been around for years, they don’t help everyone. In the early 2000s, researchers began looking at ketamine as a possible treatment.</li><li>Decades of NIMH-supported research led to the 2019 approval of esketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Researchers continue to look for ways to deliver the treatment to patients who need it.</li></ul></div><p>When he arrived at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2001, Carlos Zarate, M.D., had no idea he would take part in discovering a new treatment for an illness that—by definition—defies treatment. All he knew was that there were still people who needed help. They were people like Michelle, who developed treatment-resistant depression (TRD) after the death of her oldest son. The illness is a persistent and debilitating form of <a href="/health/topics/depression" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8c2bde19-f890-4456-ad59-3e6655563983" data-entity-substitution="canonical">major depressive disorder</a> that doesn’t improve after trying at least two antidepressants.</p><figure role="group" class="align-left">
|
||
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/news/science-news/2023/Webpage%20Size_Dr.%20Carlos%20Zarate%20portrait.jpg" width="250" height="313" alt="A headshot of Dr. Carlos Zarate.">
|
||
|
||
</span>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
<figcaption>Dr. Carlos Zarate. Courtesy of NIMH.</figcaption>
|
||
</figure>
|
||
<p>“I lost interest in everything, including my friends, family, and hobbies—even the blue sky and the sun,” Michelle said. “Nothing was pleasurable anymore.”</p><p>Like others with TRD, Michelle would take a new medication and wait, enduring the often-considerable side effects, sometimes for more than a month. When the drugs failed, she repeated this process—each time hoping this could be the one. The cycle continued for 2 years.</p><p>“I felt extremely hopeless and just empty,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel okay again.”</p><p>She’s not alone. TRD<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33989464/" rel="external"> affects millions <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>—and for those fortunate enough to find a treatment that works—<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4423609/#R19" rel="external">up to 80% will relapse <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>. It’s a pattern Dr. Zarate said can last decades, and one that places some people with the illness at risk for suicide.</p><p>While advances through NIMH-supported research would allow Dr. Zarate and other researchers to help people like Michelle, the solution—in an anesthetic known as ketamine—would take more than half a century to uncover.</p><h2>Road to discovery</h2><p>Born out of the need for a better anesthetic, researchers created ketamine in 1962. While the drug showed promise in early human testing, it gave many people spacy, out-of-body-like experiences. Despite its dissociative properties—side effects that would later haunt ketamine—it proved a reliable anesthetic. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970, clues to ketamine’s potential use for depression soon followed. But researchers didn’t start connecting the dots until the 2000s.</p><p>The reasons for this long gap aren’t entirely clear—a mystery Zarate acknowledged in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31382015/" rel="external">a 2019 paper <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>. Given that, at the time, psychedelic drugs were all the rage, Zarate ventured that ketamine’s potential for abuse “undermined its psychiatric utility.” While traces of early research hinted of ketamine’s potential as an antidepressant, it was deemed too risky and challenging for use in clinical settings at the time. Because of this, and a lack of a patent, there was little financial incentive to invest into further research, he wrote.</p><p>For depression treatment in the 1970s, monoaminergic antidepressants were the gold standard. First introduced in the 1950s, these medications increase the activity of the brain’s serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine neurotransmitters. But while monoaminergic antidepressants were the treatment of choice, they didn’t work for everyone, and by the 1990s, development and improvement in the field had slowed. For people with TRD, researchers would need to discover something new.</p><p>It wasn’t until 1990—nearly 30 years after ketamine’s creation—that researchers under Phil Skolnick, Ph.D., D.Sc., at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases made a breakthrough. The team uncovered a clue in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), the brain’s receptor for the neurotransmitter glutamate. By exposing mice to inescapable stressful events that produced signs similar to depression, researchers <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/001429999090204J?via%3Dihub" rel="external noreferrer">found <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> that antagonists, or drugs that block NMDA could reduce those symptoms. Of the findings, they wrote that these drugs “may represent a new class of antidepressants.” While other animal-based studies of NMDA receptor antagonists followed, it would take another decade before researchers made significant headway.</p><h2>Advancing the science</h2><figure role="group" class="align-right">
|
||
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/news/science-news/2023/edit_Ketamine_AdobeStock_481847089.jpg" width="350" height="263" alt="Scrabble pieces spelling out the word "ketamine."">
|
||
|
||
</span>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
<figcaption>Credit: Adobe Stock/lexiconimages.</figcaption>
|
||
</figure>
|
||
<p>Aware of Dr. Skolnick’s findings, at Yale University, John Krystal, M.D., Ph.D., and Dennis Charney, M.D., wanted to learn more about the role of brain glutamate systems like NMDA in depression. The Yale team knew ketamine blocked NMDA and had psychological effects on people, and they suspected that ketamine could play a role in treating depression.</p><p>In 2000, a decade after Dr. Skolnick’s study, the Yale team completed the first randomized, controlled trial of single-dose intravenous ketamine in people with depression. Supported in part by NIMH, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10686270/" rel="external">the study’s findings <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> marked a paradigm shift: while established antidepressants could take over a month to work, intravenous ketamine worked within hours.</p><p>Hours.</p><p>Recognizing the study’s significance, Dr. Zarate joined <a href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ba5bdcb1-b145-46a2-9ee7-16b34a2eda53" data-entity-substitution="canonical">NIMH’s Intramural Research Program</a> in 2001. The program was staffed by Dr. Charney and Husseini Manji, M.D., who was later part of team that helped bring a form of ketamine for depression to market. It was the start of something new, and a venture that would put researchers closer to cracking the ketamine code.</p><p>All the clues pointed to ketamine. But as Dr. Zarate tells it, there were problems with moving the science forward. Researchers were working with a powerful anesthetic that, if administered incorrectly, could have severe consequences. While others might have given up, the NIMH team began studying people with TRD. Together in 2006, they safely and successfully replicated and expanded on the Yale findings. The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16894061/" rel="external">results <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> were better than the skeptics—even the patients—could’ve hoped for: 71% of participants who received intravenous ketamine reported feeling better.</p><figure role="group" class="align-left">
|
||
<article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/news/science-news/2023/edit_D__NIMHRoot_IL_LibraryImages_High_Carlos%20Zarate%20and%20MEG.jpg" width="400" height="320" alt="Dr. Carlos Zarate and a patient having their brain imaged.">
|
||
|
||
</span>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
<figcaption>Dr. Carlos Zarate and patient. Courtesy of NIMH.</figcaption>
|
||
</figure>
|
||
<p>Two NIMH controlled studies followed, both confirming the 2006 data. As news of the breakthrough spread, scientists across the nation conducted further ketamine studies which supported ketamine’s use not only for TRD, but also, for treating bipolar depression and reducing suicidal thoughts. Soon, physicians began prescribing ketamine off-label for TRD. The practice, usually done as a last resort, allows doctors to prescribe medication for conditions other than what the FDA originally approved.</p><p>The development of off-label ketamine has helped thousands of people, Dr. Zarate said. For proof, he only needs to look to Michelle, who recently participated in a life-changing NIMH ketamine study.</p><p>“It’s really quick, and it’s so noticeable to go from feeling so depressed to having your mood feel better,” Michelle said of ketamine treatment. "It feels like the depression was essentially removed, and I was returned to life again.”</p><h2>Delivering treatment</h2><p>While ketamine works quickly and when other antidepressants don’t, it’s not without flaw. Ketamine doesn’t work with everyone: about half the people who take it find relief. The side effects of ketamine as an anesthetic also apply to it as an antidepressant. Many patients experience short-lived disorienting, psychedelic symptoms on ketamine, and there’s a risk for misuse. Further, ketamine’s intravenous delivery requirement can make it expensive and inconvenient. There are also concerns about ketamine’s safety and the effects of its long-term use.</p><p>While these factors left ketamine as an antidepressant less than ideal, they didn’t leave it dead in the water. Researchers can attempt to modify an existing drug to improve it. The process is harder in practice than it sounds, but it’s what Dr. Manji, who left NIMH in 2008, set out to do. Wanting to improve barriers to access, Dr. Manji’s team began exploring delivering ketamine through the nose as a spray. But for it to work, they would need a stronger version of the drug.</p><p>Knowing ketamine is an equal mixture of two mirror-opposite compounds, R-ketamine and S-ketamine, Dr. Manji’s team focused on isolating pure S-ketamine. From there, they developed esketamine, which didn’t require intravenous administration.</p><p>In 2018, Dr. Manji’s team completed the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5838571/" rel="external">first clinical study <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> on intranasal esketamine for patients with TRD. The results showed that patients who took esketamine with their existing antidepressants found relief quickly, and that repeat doses of esketamine could stave off depressive symptoms for over 2 months. Then, in 2019—nearly 60 years after ketamine’s creation, Dr. Manji’s team met with success—in full FDA approval of esketamine for TRD. For people with the illness, the moment wasn’t life-changing; it was lifesaving.</p><p>“We’re optimistic that, given the unmet need among people with treatment-resistant forms of depression, which are millions of people in the United States alone, this will be a treatment that helps many, many people and starts to give them their lives back,” Dr. Manji told NIMH in 2019.</p><h2>On the horizon</h2><p>It took an orchestrated effort among government, academia, and industry decades to crack the ketamine code. Those efforts now give hope to thousands of people; some who just 10 years ago, had nothing left to lose.</p><p>Wanting to improve ketamine’s safety and barriers to access, Dr. Zarate and his NIMH colleagues are continuing their work. Together, with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the National Institute on Aging, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, they’re <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27144355/" rel="external">researching a promising new drug <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>, dubbed the “son of ketamine.” The drug may help with depression without the side effects, and Dr. Zarate’s optimistic it will be ready for clinical trials soon.</p><p>For Dr. Zarate, it’s not about the prestige that comes with developing a new treatment. It was never about that. It’s about changing lives and helping people like Michelle. His goal now, as it was all those years ago, is to give his patients hope.</p><p>“My reward,” he said, “is to really see my patients getting better and smiling.”</p><p><em>To learn more about Dr. Zarate’s work with ketamine, listen to </em><a href="/news/media/2023/depression-the-case-for-ketamine" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="91115c27-1e8c-4604-8bb6-fa39766090fc" data-entity-substitution="canonical"><em>NIMH’s podcast, “Depression: The Case for Ketamine.”</em></a></p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FOlw7hRDUTY?si=ziEPYBn04Bn8KIpP" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><h2>Publications</h2><p>Berman, R. M., Cappiello, A., Anand, A., Oren, D. A., Heninger, G. R., Charney, D. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2000). Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. <em>Biological Psychiatry</em>,<em> 47(4)</em>, 351-354. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00230-9" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00230-9 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><p>Daly, E. J., Singh, J. B., Fedgchin, M., Cooper, K., Lim, P., Shelton, R. C., Thase, M. E., Winokur, A., Van Nueten, L., Manji, H., & Drevets, W. C. (2018). Efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine adjunctive to oral antidepressant therapy in treatment-resistant depression: A randomized clinical trial. <em>JAMA Psychiatry</em>,<em> 75</em>(2), 139-148. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3739" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3739 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><p>Holtzheimer, P. E. (2010). Advances in the management of treatment-resistant depression. <em>Focus</em>,<em> 8</em>(4), 488-500. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1176%2Ffoc.8.4.foc488" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1176%2Ffoc.8.4.foc488 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> </p><p>Trullas, R., & Skolnick, P. (1990). Functional antagonists at the NMDA receptor complex exhibit antidepressant actions. <em>European Journal of Pharmacology</em>,<em> 185</em>(1), 1-10. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(90)90204-j" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(90)90204-j <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><p>Zanos, P., Moaddel, R., Morris, P. J., Georgiou, P., Fischell, J., Elmer, G. I., Alkondon, M., Yuan, P., Pribut, H. J., Singh, N. S., Dossou, K. S., Fang, Y., Huang, X. P., Mayo, C. L., Wainer, I. W., Albuquerque, E. X., Thompson, S. M., Thomas, C. J., Zarate, C. A., Jr., & Gould, T. D. (2016). NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites. <em>Nature</em>,<em> 533(7604)</em>, 481-486. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/nature17998" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1038/nature17998 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><p>Zarate, C. A., Jr., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Charney, D. S., & Manji, H. K. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. <em>Archives of General Psychiatry</em>, <em>63(8),</em> 856-864. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><p>Zhdanava, M., Pilon, D., Ghelerter, I., Chow, W., Joshi, K., Lefebvre, P., & Sheehan, J. J. (2021). The prevalence and national burden of treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder in the United States. <em>The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry</em>, <em>82</em>(2), 29169. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.20m13699" rel="external noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.20m13699 <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a></p><h2>Learn more</h2><ul><li>NIMH Health Information Page: <a href="/health/topics/depression" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8c2bde19-f890-4456-ad59-3e6655563983" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Depression</a></li><li>NIMH Intramural Research Program Webpage: <a href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/principal-investigators/carlos-zarate" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ef2bc7c7-0e90-4ff3-ba3e-3b924315a8df" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Carlos Zarate Jr., M.D. Bio</a></li><li>NIMH Directors Message: <a href="/about/director/messages/2019/new-hope-for-treatment-resistant-depression-guessing-right-on-ketamine" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1043f167-d7f8-45c1-9367-6e14afb6acd8" data-entity-substitution="canonical">New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Guessing Right on Ketamine</a></li><li>NIMH Statistics Page: <a href="/health/statistics/major-depression" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="44b68f96-3bc3-47be-addd-738782ea6574" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Major Depression</a></li><li>NIMH Publications: <a href="/health/publications/depression-listing" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0d7bc76f-35c9-4e40-af25-2bbcd87d54d5" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Depression Fact Sheets, Brochures, Infographics</a></li></ul></body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
</main>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<footer id="footer-contact">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-contactusfooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentc7a9e7bc-56ff-41ac-8678-60f3a9a54eeb">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>NIMH Information Resource Center</h2><div><span class="small">Available in English and español</span></div><div class="row"><div class="col-xl-6 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"><p class="phone"><em><i class="fas fa-phone" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Phone: </strong> <a href="tel:1-866-615-6464">1-866-615-6464</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-comments" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Live Online Chat: </strong> <a href="https://infocenter.nimh.nih.gov">Talk to a representative</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-envelope" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Email: </strong> <a href="mailto:nimhinfo@nih.gov">nimhinfo@nih.gov</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-clock" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em><strong>Hours:</strong> 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, M-F</p></div><div class="col-xl-6 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"><p><strong>Mail: </strong> National Institute of Mental Health <br>Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications <br>6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9663 <br>Bethesda, MD 20892-9663</p></div></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-linkdisclaimer" class="block block-block-content block-block-content43e6eaa7-a06a-4a06-9eff-b06d3dded90d">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div id="footer-disclaimer"><h2>Disclaimer</h2><p>We link to external websites for informational purposes only, but we do not endorse or guarantee their accuracy. Once you leave our site, you will be subject to the new website’s privacy policy. Read NIMH’s <a href="/site-info/policies#part_2717"><u>full external linking policy</u></a> for more information.</p></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
|
||
<footer id="footer-social">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-followusfooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentcafb1a66-d0fb-4772-b5c2-5c7d0773f849">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="row"><div class="col-lg-8 col-md-7 col-sm-12 followus"><h3>Follow Us</h3><p><a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.instagram.com/nimhgov/" title="NIMH Instagram" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Instagram</span><em><i class="fab fa-instagram" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.facebook.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH Facebook" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Facebook</span><em><i class="fab fa-facebook-f" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-institute-of-mental-health-nimh" title="NIMH LinkedIn" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Linkedin</span><em><i class="fab fa-linkedin-in" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://twitter.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH Twitter" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Twitter</span><em><i class="fab fa-x-twitter" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.youtube.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH YouTube" rel="external"><span class="hidden">YouTube</span><em><i class="fab fa-youtube" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a href="/news/email-updates" title="NIMH Newsletters" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="72c6d25b-a844-48b0-be68-5c85cf5df771" data-entity-substitution="canonical"> <em><i class="far fa-file-alt" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a href="/news/web-channels" title="NIMH News Feeds" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="26a1cafd-738b-443d-920f-c491f872d6d9" data-entity-substitution="canonical"> <em><i class="fas fa-rss" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a></p></div><div class="col-lg-4 col-md-5 col-sm-12"><h3 class="mb-0">Subscribe to NIMH Email Updates</h3><form class="subscribe-in-banner" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/subscribers/qualify" method="get" name="Subscribe"><p><label><span class="hidden">Type email address...</span> <input class="subscribe_box" aria-label="Type email address..." name="email" placeholder="Type email address..." size="30" type="text"> </label><input type="submit" value="Subscribe"> </p></form></div></div><style>
|
||
.followus p a {
|
||
margin: .1rem;
|
||
}
|
||
.followus i.fab:hover, .followus i.far:hover, .followus i.fas:hover{
|
||
background-color: #00335e !important;
|
||
}
|
||
</style></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
|
||
<footer id="footer-siteInfo">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-siteinfofooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-content7adf2027-35bd-4389-9dd4-330dcc3d17c4">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="row" id="block-footer"><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>NIMH Resources</h5><p><a href="/health/topics" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f7e048e4-f68f-4b7f-afb8-6fb95336f6b3" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Health Topics</a> <br><a href="/health/publications" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3a6321c0-9c96-45b6-8d5c-5f4eab17632b" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Brochures and Fact Sheets</a> <br><a href="/site-info/contact-nimh" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3b82dd34-6040-4763-a9ff-db0c3d5b6a38" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Contact Us</a> <br><a href="/health/topics/espanol" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d6df42f3-6876-496e-918c-cc34cc7681f7" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Información en español</a></p></div><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>Policies and Notices</h5><p><a href="/site-info/privacy-policy" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f9084068-f15e-4322-b69b-eb250f301bf4" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Privacy Policy</a> <br><a href="/site-info/policies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e7a9f3b0-b458-4dcd-84aa-2c373b217d3f" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Website Policies</a> <br><a href="http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/foia/index.htm" rel="external">FOIA <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="/site-info/accessibility" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="35acaa5a-b4a3-4061-b0b9-018d0e02b011" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Accessibility</a> <br><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" rel="external">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></p></div><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>Federal Resources</h5><p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/" rel="external">National Institutes of Health (NIH) <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/" rel="external">NIH Virtual Tour <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="https://www.hhs.gov" rel="external">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="http://www.usa.gov/" rel="external">USA.gov <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></p></div></div><p class="institute_boilerplate">The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of NIH, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-backtotop" class="block block-block-content block-block-content2fd64a46-6d78-4c08-8260-bf3aad9aa46d">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="hidden-sm hidden-xs" id="backtotop"><a href="#skipnav"><span class="bt-img"> </span><span>Top</span></a>
|
||
</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_Ar12EQc0ItFgOVOiA7ch7vfF-NWs4pUi1kGBcM1-7rw.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJzLy8zNKMlIzU3VT8vPK0ksTy3Oz02NN9PJg4un5-QnJeboFicXZRaUFAMA0TwS7A"></script>
|
||
<script src="//kit.fontawesome.com/1ea3372bd6.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
|
||
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_uIBU-5fuvQZZvnNDo5BMVNRXUN7VE0SzzMMTrzW1miA.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJzLy8zNKMlIzU3VT8vPK0ksTy3Oz02NN9PJg4un5-QnJeboFicXZRaUFAMA0TwS7A"></script>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|