The Zanos lab is excited to announce the publication of our latest research paper in the prestigious journal Biological Psychiatry. Our study explores the potential of ketamine and its metabolites as novel therapeutic strategies for treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

In this comprehensive review, we examine both preclinical and clinical research on ketamine’s potential in OUD treatment. The paper discusses ketamine’s promise in managing acute withdrawal symptoms, alleviating negative affect during protracted opioid abstinence, and preventing relapse. We also delve into the molecular targets of ketamine and its metabolites, exploring their relation to OUD treatment outcomes.

Our findings suggest that ketamine and its metabolites can effectively modulate pathophysiological processes affected in OUD, offering a promising new avenue for treatment and relapse prevention. Importantly, our review indicates that ketamine and its metabolites could be tested in clinical trials for their efficacy in treating OUD. We propose that these compounds could initially serve as adjuncts to current therapies, with the potential to be developed into standalone monotherapies in the future.

For more information:

https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(24)01591-9/fulltext