Work

Association between S-ketamine induced changes in glutamate levels in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy subjects

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Ketamine’s antidepressant effects have been linked to its modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. However, the precise roles of both glutamate (Glu) levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in this process remain incompletely understood. Methods This study examined the relationship between ketamine-induced changes in Glu levels and peripheral BDNF levels using data from a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (7 Tesla 1 H-MRS) assessing Glu concentrations in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and plasma BDNF levels were measured one hour before and 24 hours after either S-ketamine or placebo infusions in 35 healthy male subjects. Results Linear regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between treatment condition and relative changes in Glu on BDNF level changes, with a trend-level positive correlation between changes in Glu and BDNF levels observed only in the ketamine group. Discussion These findings provide initial in vivo support for the hypothesis that ketamine’s effects on BDNF dynamics are linked to its glutamatergic action.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1662051