Nmda Antagonist and Depression?

[navycross]

Sources- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322399002309
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432811001288

I am not all to familiar with the pharmacology behind it so that is why I'm posting in basic.

Since the articles are saying that Ketamine can induse anti depressant effects, could this extend to other nmda-antagonists such as DXM and PCP (the most common ones i can think of)?
Or is there another mechanism that is happening besides the nmda antagonism that they are unaware of?

 

[sekio]

I think that there's more than just NMDA antagonism. DXM is also a SNRI (like a lot of antidepressants) and the whole class of drugs share activity at the sigma receptor too - also a known A/D effect. PCP and Ketamine (other arylcyclohexylamines) are strong dopamine reuptake inhibitors.

PCP is too psychoactive to be used as an antidepressant due to its amazingly high lipophilicity and half life. DXM might work at lower-than-2nd-plateau doses. Ketamine and MXE are probably far too dopaminergic for regular use because there is quite the risk of mania and PCP-type psychosis.

i don't think that any NMDA antagonists should be used as first-line therapy for depression. Most dopaminergics have been branded as "antidepressants" at some time, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, etc... but that doesn't mean they are appropriate for regular use.

 

[effie]

This is a bit advanced for BDD - not too sure where the best place is, but as you've replied sekio I will move it over to OD. Feel free to send it elsewhere if you think it would be a better fit!

BDD > OD