Emerging Biomarkers of Response to Ketamine – Opportunities and Challenges-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The session, co-chaired by Dr. Balwinder Singh and Dr. Gustavo Medeiros, focuses on the use of biomarkers to predict the response to antidepressant treatments, specifically ketamine and esketamine, in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Dr. Medeiros discusses his research on blood-based biomarkers, highlighting their potential to predict which patients will respond to treatment. Despite variability in response rates and the lack of significant findings in baseline biomarkers, increased levels of BDNF were noted in responders, suggesting potential in longitudinal biomarkers. The session emphasizes the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses to identify promising biomarkers.<br /><br />Dr. Singh explores metabolomic signatures, noting significant changes in metabolites related to energy pathways during ketamine treatment, such as acylcarnitines and lipids, which could provide insights into treatment mechanisms. However, variations in results across studies underscore the complexity of identifying consistent biomarkers.<br /><br />Dr. Jennifer Vandervoorde's research examines the anti-anhedonic effects of ketamine, observing a correlation between reduced anhedonia and increased mTOR protein expression, suggesting mTOR's role as a potential biomarker. Yet, larger trials are necessary to confirm these findings.<br /><br />Overall, the discussion highlights the challenges in identifying reliable biomarkers due to methodological inconsistencies, the need for standardized protocols, and larger, more rigorous studies. The session also notes the potential in combining neuroimaging with blood-based markers for a more comprehensive understanding. While current findings are promising, substantial work remains to integrate these insights into clinical practice effectively.

Keywords

biomarkers

antidepressant treatments

ketamine

esketamine

treatment-resistant depression

BDNF

metabolomic signatures

acylcarnitines

mTOR protein

anti-anhedonic effects

neuroimaging

systematic reviews

clinical practice