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In a ray of hope for people suffering from depression, researchers have identified a compound that may treat depression just as effectively as the psychoactive drug ketamine without the unwanted side effects associated with it. The compound hydroxynorketamine (HNK) produces the same beneficial effects attributed to ketamine without its unwanted side effects, a new research showed. 'The clinical use of ketamine therapy for depression is limited because the drug is administered intravenously and may produce adverse effects such as hallucinations and sedation to the point of anaesthesia,' said Irving Wainer, a senior investigator from the National Institute on Aging in the US. (Read: (Read: Anti-depressants could help in stroke recovery))
'We found that the HNK compound counters depressive symptoms but it does not cause sedation as in the case of ketamine. 'It makes HNK an attractive alternative as an anti-depressant in humans,' Wainer noted. In the study, researchers examined the effects of intravenous doses of ketamine, HNK and another compound produced by ketamine metabolism known as norketamine in brains of rats. They found that the compound HNK, like ketamine, not only produced potent and rapid anti-depressant effects but also stimulated neuro-regenerative pathways and initiated the re-growth of neurons in rats' brains. (Read: Revealed how anti-depressants work inside the brain)
Surprisingly, HNK was also found to reduce the production of D-serine - a chemical found in the body whose over-production is associated with neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The use of HNK can also serve as a future therapeutic approach to treat neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, said the study that appeared in the Journal of Anaesthesiology. (Read: Anti-depressant drug also stimulates formation of new brain cells)
How do anti-depressants help in depression?
Our mood is affected by chemical messages sent and received by the brain cells (neurons). These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters that mainly affect our mood. When the amount of these neurotransmitters drop at the junction of neurons, we are likely to be sad or depressed.
Antidepressants are a class of drugs that help to restore the balance of these neurotransmitters in the brain. They treat depression by influencing the production of these neurotransmitters or making them more available at the junction of neurons. They are highly effective in people with severe depression who feel better 70% of times after taking antidepressants. (Read: Exercise can vanquish depression!)
For what conditions are they used?
There are different types of antidepressants like Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) that may be prescribed for different conditions depending on the severity of depression. Common conditions include general and social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some antidepressants are also used for hot flashes, premenstrual symptoms and bulimia nervosa (tendency of overeating).
What is the dosage recommendation for antidepressants?
Your psychiatrist will determine the dose of drugs based on your symptoms, other health conditions and your body weight. Usually, a low dose is given at first which is gradually increased if no side-effects are seen. This limits the amount of medication you take. Read more about Antidepressant drugs all your queries answered
With inputs from IANS
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