Vertebrate Physiology

Typically, the arsenal of pscho-active anti-depressants can take weeks if not months to take effect. But recent research has shown that ketamines can relieve symptoms of depression in a matter of hours. Ketamines appear to be NMDA antagonists; this can mediate LTD by stopping the sequestering of AMPA receptors. There may be a direct affect on the glutamate receptors but this mechanism is not currently known. Ketamines are used as a club-drug since they can induce hallucinations in high doses. Their clinical application has been as an anaesthetic.