14 DAY TRIAL // Researchers are currently studying the effects of an anesthetic drug called ketamine, which early studies indicate may produce an interesting antidepressant response in people who exhibit depression symptoms that are unresponsive to treatment.
The chemical is apparently capable of producing a fast-acting antidepressant response in humans, even if it is administered only in small doses. The research suggests ketamine could be used as an invaluable tool for calming high-risk patients in the emergency room.
Using low doses to obtain a robust response would counteract any negative side-effects that administering the chemical might produce. If it were to be used by doctors, only small amounts of ketamine would be given to patients.
One of the things beaconing doctors to use ketamine is the fact that it has immediate effects. At this point, even the most effective conventional antidepressant takes several weeks to produce its effects.
In the worst-case scenario, clinicians miss the medication requirements altogether, leaving the patients exposed to take rushed action. Using ketamine in these situations might help balance patients, at least until the critical moments pass.
“Ketamine produces a very sharp increase that immediately relieves depression,” explains University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center associate professor of psychiatry Lisa Monteggia, PhD.
The expert is also the senior author of a new paper detailing the findings. The work appears in the latest issue of the top scientific journal Nature, PsychCentral reports. Monteggia says that clinicians at times have to wait up to 12 weeks before they can put patients on another course of medication.
This happens precisely because it takes so long for conventional drugs to take effects. “Ketamine produces a fast-acting antidepressant effect, and we hope our investigation provides critical information to treat depression effectively sooner,” the expert says.
“We now have a novel pathway to explore that may provide potential for the development of faster-acting and longer-lasting antidepressants,” Monteggia goes on to say, adding that experts still need to be aware of the drug's side-effects.
Abusing this substance can lead to reduced abilities to remember and concentrate. Over the past couple of decades, the drug has been abused increasingly often, as it causes hallucinations and high blood pressure.