Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0487
ISSN: 2161-0487
Roohi Abubaker
Morehouse School of Medicine, United States
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother
Ketamine was first synthesized by an American Scientist in 1962, in 1963 patented in Belgium to be used in Veterinary anesthesia. This presentation will cover its changing roles in drug culture and used in Vietnam war and now recently growing interest in the use of both oral and I/V ketamine in treatment resistant depression. The advantages are fast action, wide therapeutic range and relatively lesser side effects. Will review recent study trials and will discuss its role in future treatment of depression. Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) is a serious, disabling illness, and has significant impact on social and occupational outcomes. Studies show 33% of patients do not achieve remission with conventional medications including those that target serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. TRD patients may be started on adjunctive mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, as well as receive electro-convulsive therapy. Each of these modalities is not without unique side and sometimes irreversible side effects, and may require prolonged therapies for positive outcomes. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, which has been shown to result in anti-depressant effects within 24 hours. Ketamine has a short half-life of 2-3 hours, and may be given intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, or oral formulation. This poster will discuss several studies that indicate ketamine’s role as an antidepressant. Ketamine metabolite (2R, 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) is essential for antidepressant effects in mice. It exerts its effects that are NMDAR-independent. HNK blocks synaptic NMDAR's in a similar manner, which subsequently elicits signaling of the transduction pathways, increases brain derived neurotrophic factor expression, and increases synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus. This mechanism supports why short halflife ketamine can have a long lasting anti-depressive effect.
Dr. Roohi Abubaker is a psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She earned her medical degree from Sindh Medical College in 2008