Differential c-Fos induction by different NMDA receptor antagonists with antidepressant efficacy: potential clinical implications.

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists can exert antidepressant effects. Thus, a single intravenous injection of ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists, has been recently demonstrated to produce a rapid and relatively sustained antidepressant effect in patients. Therefore, the role of NMDA receptors and their signalling pathways for pathophysiology and therapy of depression are under intense research.