On Tuesday, April 8th, Dr. Zanos, Head of the Translational Neuropharmacology Lab, presented his groundbreaking research on ketamine’s antidepressant properties to faculty and students at Deree. The seminar, held in the Faculty Lounge, provided an intimate setting for in-depth discussion of novel therapeutic approaches to depression treatment.

Dr. Zanos’s presentation explored the molecular pathways through which ketamine and its metabolites produce rapid antidepressant effects. He detailed his lab’s investigations into (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent that maintains antidepressant efficacy while eliminating ketamine’s dissociative side effects.

A significant portion of the talk focused on recent discoveries regarding the role of specific glutamate receptor subunits in mediating these effects, particularly the critical involvement of AMPA receptor activation and GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors in sustaining antidepressant responses.

The seminar concluded with a productive discussion about potential research collaborations between Dr. Zanos’s lab and Deree faculty. Several promising avenues for joint EU grant applications were identified, with particular interest in translational studies that could accelerate the development of next-generation rapid-acting antidepressants.

This visit represents an important step in fostering cross-institutional research initiatives aimed at addressing the urgent need for more effective treatments for depression and related disorders.