Ketamine Gets Controversial FDA Approval for Depression Treatment | SciShow News

TL;DR

The US FDA has approved a new antidepressant nasal spray called Spravato, which contains esketamine, a variant of the psychoactive compound ketamine. The drug works quickly and may help fight treatment-resistant depression. Additionally, ultrasound treatment shows promise in treating inflammatory disorders by stimulating nerves.

Transcript

[♪ INTRO] Depression affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide. And to make matters that much worse, as many as one in five of those people have what’s called treatment resistant depression, meaning they don’t respond to the usual psychiatric drugs. But last week, there was renewed hope for them as the US Food and Drug Administration approv... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍧 Depression affects millions worldwide, with up to 20% having treatment-resistant depression that does not respond to usual psychiatric drugs.
• 🥳 Spravato, the newly approved nasal spray, contains esketamine, a variant of ketamine. Ketamine, known as a party drug, has shown potential as an antidepressant, working differently than traditional drugs.
• ✋ Spravato's effectiveness in clinical trials has been mixed, with concerns about its long-term effects and high cost.
• ✋ Ultrasound treatment shows promise in treating inflammatory disorders like arthritis and high blood sugar by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Spravato differ from traditional antidepressants in terms of effectiveness and treatment timeline?

Spravato appears to work faster than traditional antidepressants, with effects noticed within hours or days, compared to weeks or months. It also works differently by blocking chemical messengers and helping regenerate brain cell connections.

Q: What are the concerns surrounding Spravato's clinical trials and long-term effects?

Some clinical trials showed mixed results, with the drug performing better than a placebo in one study but not showing a significant difference in others. Doctors are also concerned about the long-term effects and lack of understanding regarding how ketamine affects the brain.

Q: How does ultrasound treatment work in treating inflammatory disorders?

Ultrasound treatment stimulates the vagus nerve, which is part of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. By pulsing ultrasound into the spleen or liver, the treatment can potentially reduce inflammation and symptoms associated with disorders like arthritis and high blood sugar.

Q: What are the potential advantages of ultrasound treatment compared to traditional methods of stimulating the vagus nerve?

Ultrasound treatment offers a non-invasive alternative to surgically implanting electronic devices. It has shown promising results in mice and rats, with potential for being administered at home due to its portability.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The US FDA has approved Spravato, a nasal spray containing esketamine, a new antidepressant that works quickly and may help people with treatment-resistant depression.

• Ketamine, the primary compound in Spravato, has shown potential as an antidepressant, working differently than traditional drugs by blocking chemical messengers and regrowing brain cell connections.

• Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and long-term effects of Spravato, as well as its high cost and potential for misuse.