Ketamine (eBook)

This book presents the latest data from basic research and clinical trials supporting the effectiveness of ketamine as a treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal behavior, setting these positive findings within the context of the serious problem of ketamine abuse. The first part of the book focuses on the evidence regarding ketamine abuse, with specific reference to Asian countries, and discusses countermeasures and complication management. It then addresses the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant and side effects of ketamine, which have remained elusive, describing and discussing important new research findings. Further, it explains insights gained from whole brain imaging in rodents and from behavioral pharmacology, and presents evidence regarding the role of gut microbiota, the NMDA receptor GluN2D subunit, and the lateral habenula in the actions of ketamine. These advances form the basis for the safer use of ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression and are expected to lead to the development of new antidepressants.

Kenji Hashimoto, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan Dr. Hashimoto is a Professor and Vice-Director of the Center for Forensic Mental Health at Chiba University. He holds a PhD from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kyushu University. After working at Fukuyama University, NIH/NIDA (Baltimore, MD) and a pharmaceutical company, he moved to Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, where he works on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Dr. Hashimoto has published more than 500 articles in PubMed listed publications. 

Soichiro Ide, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan Dr. Ide is a Chief Researcher in the Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science. He holds a PhD from the Graduate School and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kyoto University. Dr. Ide taught and undertook research research at Hiroshima International University and Hokkaido University, before moving to his current laboratory. He is currently conducting neuropsychopharmacological research using behavioral pharmacological techniques on topics such as pain, depression, and stress. Dr. Ide has published 60 papers in PubMed listed publications.

Kazutaka Ikeda, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan Dr. Ikeda is Project Leader of the Addictive Substance Project and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Tokyo, and holds a Master's degree from Osaka University and a PhD from Niigata University. Dr. Ikeda has worked at RIKEN, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Psychiatry, and was President of the Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology and of the Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology. His research focuses on neuropsychopharmacology, especially for addiction, pain, neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia and depression. He has published more than 180 articles in PubMed listed publications.

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This book presents the latest data from basic research and clinical trials supporting the effectiveness of ketamine as a treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal behavior, setting these positive findings within the context of the serious problem of ketamine abuse. The first part of the book focuses on the evidence regarding ketamine abuse, with specific reference to Asian countries, and discusses countermeasures and complication management. It then addresses the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant and side effects of ketamine, which have remained elusive, describing and discussing important new research findings. Further, it explains insights gained from whole brain imaging in rodents and from behavioral pharmacology, and presents evidence regarding the role of gut microbiota, the NMDA receptor GluN2D subunit, and the lateral habenula in the actions of ketamine. These advances form the basis for the safer use of ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression and are expected to lead to the development of new antidepressants.