Esketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants. While conventional antidepressants target serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, esketamine increases levels of glutamate, the most abundant chemical messenger in the brain. This unique mechanism allows esketamine to have a greater impact on more brain cells at once, offering rapid relief from depressive symptoms within hours.
Esketamine’s Mechanism of Action
Esketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects are attributed to its ability to modulate the glutamate system. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity, which are crucial for brain function and mood regulation. By increasing glutamate levels, esketamine can rapidly induce changes in neural connectivity and promote the growth of new synaptic connections, leading to a rapid improvement in depressive symptoms.