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The Possible Application of Ketamine in the Treatment of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease
Neurology international
  • Islam Mohammad Shehata, Ain Shams University
  • Waniyah Masood, Dow University of Health Sciences
  • Nouran Nemr, Ain Shams University
  • Alexandra Anderson, Louisiana State University
  • Kamal Bhusal, Louisiana State University
  • Amber N. Edinoff, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
  • Elyse M. Cornett, Louisiana State University
  • Adam M. Kaye, University of the Pacific
  • Alan David Kaye, Louisiana State University Health Science Center
ORCiD
Adam M. Kaye: 0000-0002-7224-3322
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.3390/neurolint14020025
Publication Date
3-22-2022
Abstract

Depression is a leading cause of disability globally, with a prevalence of 3.8% among the whole population, 5% of the adult population, and 5.7% of the elderly population over 60 years of age. There is evidence that depression is linked to certain neurodegenerative diseases, one being Alzheimer's disease (AD). The efficacy of conventional antidepressants to treat depression in AD is conflicting, especially regarding selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A recent systemic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials including fourteen antidepressant medications showed no high efficacy in treating AD patients' symptoms. However, ketamine, a nonselective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, can mediate a wide range of pharmacological effects, including neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, multimodal analgesia, and treatment of depression, suicidal attempts, and status epilepticus. Esketamine, which is ketamine formulated as a nasal spray, was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2019 as an adjuvant drug to treat treatment-resistant depression. NMDA receptor antagonists treat AD through offsetting AD-related pathological stimulation of subtypes of glutamate receptors in the central nervous system. Recent clinical findings suggest that ketamine may provide neuroprotection and reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with AD. In the present investigation, we evaluate the potential role of ketamine and its postulated mechanism in AD management.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information
Islam Mohammad Shehata, Waniyah Masood, Nouran Nemr, Alexandra Anderson, et al.. "The Possible Application of Ketamine in the Treatment of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease" Neurology international Vol. 14 Iss. 2 (2022) p. 310 - 321 ISSN: 2035-8385
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adam-kaye/180/