
Dr. Panos Zanos, BSc, Ph.D.
Dr. Zanos is a leading figure in the field of brain diseases, dedicated to uncovering innovative therapies for major depressive disorders and related brain disease, 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 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, Dr. Zanos has provided a groundbreaking solution to a critical problem in depression treatment. 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 is expected to begin very soon, 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 2 years, he has achieved remarkable accomplishments. Notably, he has secured over €2 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 esteemed news platforms worldwide. Furthermore, his research has been extensively cited by the scientific community, accumulating over 6600 total citations (h-index: 34). Furthermore, Dr. Zanos has forged significant partnerships with prominent figures in the addiction and depression fields, including experts from the National Institutes of Health. 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.
Beyond his groundbreaking research on ketamine and its metabolites, Dr. Zanos has made substantial contributions in diverse domains of neuropharmacology. His studies investigating the role of oxytocin and its dysregulation in drug addiction have provided valuable insights into potential avenues for medication development. These findings have also prompted the initiation of a human clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of oxytocin in individuals with opioid addiction. Furthermore, Dr. Zanos’s investigations into receptor interactions, genetic vulnerabilities, and sleep disorders have significantly enhanced our understanding of complex mental health conditions, such as depression and substance use disorders.
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