Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects Linked to Brain Support Cells

New research reveals that ketamine reduces passive behavior by overstimulating astroglia, offering insights into potential depression treatments.

Researchers found that ketamine suppresses 'giving up' behavior in zebrafish by overstimulating astroglia, a type of brain support cell.
The study demonstrated that ketamine-induced astroglia activation reduces sensitivity to stress signals, promoting behavioral perseverance.
Similar mechanisms were observed in mice, suggesting the antidepressant effects of ketamine may be evolutionarily conserved across species.
The findings challenge the traditional focus on neurons in depression research and point to astroglia as a promising target for new treatments.
The research highlights the potential for cross-species studies to advance understanding of antidepressants and develop safer, faster-acting therapies.