Dr. Panos Zanos, BSc, Ph.D.

Dr. Zanos is a neuroscientist dedicated to uncovering innovative therapies for major depressive disorders and related brain diseases, which present a pressing global health challenge. His groundbreaking research holds the promise of transforming the treatment landscape and making a profound impact on the lives of millions suffering from depression and potentially comorbid opioid use disorders. Dr. Zanos has emerged as a leading figure in the search for improved antidepressant therapies, particularly through his pioneering research on the use of ketamine metabolites as rapid-acting antidepressants.

By discovering the efficacy of these metabolites while minimizing harmful side effects in rodents, Dr. Zanos has provided critical knowledge that will likely lead to the development of novel and effective pharmacotherapies for major depression. His groundbreaking discoveries on the metabolites of ketamine have not only advanced our understanding of how ketamine works as an antidepressant medication, but have also paved the way for a phase I clinical trial conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04711005) to assess ketamine’s metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in humans. The successful outcomes of this initial trial have positioned the research project for the next crucial phase (phase II clinical trial), which has begun in the United States, demonstrating the high translational potential of Dr. Zanos’ work.

Dr. Zanos established his independent laboratory at the University of Cyprus in August 2021, and in less than 4 years, he has achieved remarkable accomplishments. Notably, he has so far secured over €3.3 million in competitive grant funding from both national and international sources. Despite being an early career researcher, Dr. Zanos has already authored 75 peer-reviewed journal articles, including paradigm-shifting publications in journals such as Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Molecular Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Neuron, British Journal of Pharmacology and others. His work has gained global recognition and widespread attention, with coverage in multiple news platforms worldwide. Furthermore, his research has been extensively cited by the scientific community, accumulating over 8000 total citations (h-index: 36).

Furthermore, Dr. Zanos has forged significant partnerships with prominent figures in the addiction and depression fields, including experts from the National Institutes of Health and INSERM. These collaborations highlight the collaborative nature of his work and its potential impact. In addition to his wide network of international collaborations, Dr. Zanos actively participates in large-scale collaborative initiatives and currently serves as the Principal Investigator in a groundbreaking clinical trial investigating the efficacy of ketamine in preventing relapse to opioid use in abstinent patients (EudraCT: 2022-001997-70), marking the first-ever clinical trial conducted using drug treatment in a clinical population in Cyprus. 

 

Other relevant links:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1p3UqcxRuj-5xf/bibliography/public/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=0UAcoRoAAAAJ

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-8648

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Panos-Zanos

https://www.linkedin.com/in/panos-zanos-6b16b538/

https://www.ucy.ac.cy/directory/en/profile/pzanos01

 

Also see Dr. Zanos’ Neurotree!!

 

Contact info:

E-mail: zanos.panos@ucy.ac.cy

Phone: (+357) 22892243