Involvement of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor in the antidepressant effect of ketamine

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07332
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48030:Pharmacology-related
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Ibi Daisuke 名城大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (40757514)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: シロシビン / 難治性うつ病 / ケタミン / うつ病 / セロトニン5-HT2A受容体 / 抗うつ薬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the anesthetic ketamine and the hallucinogen psilocybin can be used as therapeutic agents for treatment-resistant depression. However, the mechanisms of action for both drugs remain unknown. In this study, we conducted knockdown experiments on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in mice and found that both ketamine and psilocybin stimulate 5-HT2A receptors in the subcortical regions, leading to antidepressant-like effects. Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular basis underlying these findings.

Free Research Field

神経精神薬理学会

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

うつ病の約30%は治療抵抗性（難治性）うつ病とされている。最近、ケタミンとシロシビンは難治性うつ病に革新的治療効果を示すこと、さらに両薬物とも即効かつ持続的な抗うつ作用を示すことが報告された。しかし、両薬物の抗うつ作用に関する共通性は良く分かっていない。本研究は両薬物の抗うつ作用の共通性を明らかにするものであり、難治性うつ病の病態解明や治療法確立の基盤研究であり、学術的・社会的意義は大変大きい。