A pivot from synaptic monoamine processes to further downstream processes: The impact of ketamine research.

PURPOSE: Currently only one-third of patients treated for depression enjoy complete remission of their negative symptoms. This paper explores ketamine research as it applies to understanding and treating mood illnesses.

CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effect implicates downstream signal transduction involving the spontaneous transmissions associated with ketamine's action at the NMDA receptor.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Better understanding of brain neuropathophysiology offers hope for symptom relief to those living with affective illness refractory to currently available medical management.