How ketamine works: An actionable hypothesis

R Roberto Malinow (Department of Neurosciences and Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego)

Abstract

Ketamine has been shown to reduce depression and suicidality in individuals resistant to treatment by other drugs. Exactly how ketamine works is not known. Here, I propose a new hypothesis that involves synaptic and circuit plasticity and may lead to enhanced efficacy in treating depression as well as other conditions.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 18
Published May 05, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (1)

R

Roberto Malinow

Department of Neurosciences and Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego