For more information or to schedule for a ketamine consultation or infusion in Northern Virginia, call 703-844-0184 or email us below. No referral is needed.
How Does Ketamine Work? How Does Ketamine Prevent Deaths of Despair?
There are numerous pathways through which ketamine appears to work to resolve depression. Ketamine demonstrates efficacy the rapid relief of suicidality, PTSD, Bipolar depression, and pain. Glutamate is the neurotransmitter that appears to be a primary molecule involved in learning and is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the cerebrum. Disorders in glutamate result in depression and mood disorders. A recent study demonstrated the importance of Serotonin 1B receptors in depression and how ketamine improves that.
Low Serotonin 1B receptors have been found in limbic areas of the brain in major depression disorder (MDD). Ketamine upregulates AMPA receptor activity and results in increased 5-HT1B receptor binding in the ventral striatum (involved in depression).
In the study, PET scans were used to image serotonin receptor binding after ketamine infusions in 30 patients. Low levels of serotonin correlate with severe depression. During the study, a certain portion of the patients underwent ketamine infusions twice a week for two weeks, and 70% of those patients had improvement in their depression scores. Based in the PET scans, ketamine reduces the output of serotonin and increased dopamine (the reward molecule). Ketamine increased the number of Serotonin 1B receptors and the higher number of Serotonin 1B receptors correlates with less depression.
Key points:
Subanesthetic dosing of ketamine has been effective in the rapid reduction of depression over hours as opposed to weeks with traditional treatments:
Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients
Glutamate is the key neurotransmitter involved in mood disorders based on recent theories:
The NMDA receptor (N-methyl-D-aspartate ) antagonism by ketamine plays a key role in the effectiveness of ketamine’s antidepressant effect:
The acute effects of NMDA antagonism: from the rodent to the human brain
Ketamine interacts with several receptors in the brain and impacts neurotransmitters through affinity for opioid, muscarinic, nicotinic, and serotonin (5-HT)2 receptors:
Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Ketamine
Ketamine, much like other antidepressants, seems to increase serotonin in areas of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and depletion of serotonin results in decreased antidepressant effects with ketamine:
Role of Serotonin and Noradrenaline in the Rapid Antidepressant Action of Ketamine
In the positron emission tomography (PET) studies of in vivo 5-HT1B receptor binding in MDD, low binding in the hippocampus and in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been reported both in patients with recurrent MDD:
PTSD also presents with reduced serotonin 1B receptors as well:
In patients with a family history of depression, it is noted that 5-HT1B receptor binding was low in the ventral striatum (VST) and ventral pallidum:
The VST is a key structure in the reward system, implicated in anhedonia – the presence of no mood that can accompany MDD and 5-HT1B receptor binding is high in the VST:
Circuit-based frameworks of depressive behaviors: The role of reward circuitry and beyond
Per this study, ketamine increased 5-HT1B receptor binding in regions with reported low 5-HT1B receptor levels, such as the hippocampus, ACC (Anterior Cingulate Cortex), and VST and this resulted in diminished depression.
What does this mean for you?
The bottom line is that ketamine still improved depression in 70% of treatment failures through still-debated mechanisms. The improvement of the Serotonin 1B receptor is just another piece of the puzzle.
NOVA Health Recovery is a Ketamine Treatment Center in Fairfax, Virginia (Northern Virginia Ketamine) that specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and chronic pain such as CRPS, cluster headaches, and fibromyalgia using Ketamine therapies, both infusion and home-based ketamine nasal spray and oral tablets. We also offer addiction treatment services with Suboxone, Vivitrol, and Sublocade therapies for opiate addiction as well as alcohol treatment regimens. Contact us at 703-844-0184 or at this link: NOVA Health Recovery Ketamine Infusion Center Near me Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine Provider | Ketamine near me | Psychedelic assisted therapy | Mushrooms | Ketamine assisted psychotherapy | Ketamine psychedelic therapy | KAP | K hole | New depression Treatments | Areas we serve:
Maryland (MD):
Bethesda 20814 – Bethesda 20816 – Bethesda 20817 – Chevy Chase 20815 – Colesville 20904 – Cabin John 20815 – Glen Echo 20812 – Gaithersburg 20855 – Gaithersburg 20877- Gaithersburg 20878 – Gaithersburg 20879 – Garrett Park 20896 – Kensington 20895 – Montgomery Village 20886 – Olney 20830 – Olney 20832 – Potomac 20854 – Potomac 20859 – Rockville 20850 – Rockville 20852 – Rockville 20853 – Silver Spring 20903 – Silver Spring 20905 – Silver Spring 20906 – Silver Spring 20910 – Takoma Park 20912 – Wheaton 20902
Washington DC:
Crestwood 20011- North Capitol Hill 20002 – Cathedral Heights 20016 – American University Park 20016 – Columbia Heights 20010 – Mount Pleasant 20010 – Downtown 20036 – Dupont Circle 20009 – Logan Circle 20005- Adams Morgan 20009 – Chevy Chase 20015 – Georgetown 20007 – Cleveland Park 20008 – Foggy Bottom 20037 – Rock Creek Park – Woodley Park 20008 – Tenleytown 20016
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McLean 22101- McLean 22102 – McLean 22106 – Great Falls 22066 – Arlington 22201 – Arlington 22202 – Arlington 22203 – Arlington 22205 – Falls Church 22041 – Vienna 22181 – Alexandria 22314 – 22308 -22306 -22305 -22304 Fairfax – 20191 – Reston – 22009 – Springfield – 22152 22015 Lorton 22199
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