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The Use of Ketamine for the Treatment of Anhedonia in Depression

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Abstract

Anhedonia, a complex symptom rooted in deficits across reward processes, is primarily linked to depression and schizophrenia but transcends diagnostic boundaries across various mental disorders. Its presence correlates with poorer clinical outcomes, including an increased risk of suicide and diminished response to treatment. The neurobiological underpinnings of anhedonia remain incompletely understood despite advancements in biomarkers and imaging that contribute to deeper insights. Ketamine, known for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties, appears to possess antianhedonic effects through a mechanism of action not fully elucidated. This effect appears to be independent of its antidepressant properties. Explorations into alternative antianhedonic treatments have been underway, yet lingering questions persist, underscoring the imperative need for ongoing research to advance the field.

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  1. Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez, Stefanie Cavalcanti have contributed equally to the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez, Stefanie Cavalcanti, Jennifer L. Vande Voort & Balwinder Singh

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  1. Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez
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  2. Stefanie Cavalcanti
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  3. Jennifer L. Vande Voort
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Correspondence to Balwinder Singh.

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JLVV has received grant-in-kind support from Assurex Health (unrelated to this study). BS received research grant support from Mayo Clinic, National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC), and Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD2). Other authors report no potential conflicts of interest.

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Authors’ Contributions

LPR: Concept and design, literature searching, drafting of the manuscript, elaboration of tables, elaboration of the figure, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. SC: Concept and design, literature searching, drafting of the manuscript, elaboration of tables, elaboration of the figure, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. BS: Concept and design, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, supervision. JVV: Concept and design, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, supervision. All authors have read and approved the final submitted manuscript and agree to be accountable for the work.

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Patarroyo-Rodriguez, L., Cavalcanti, S., Vande Voort, J.L. et al. The Use of Ketamine for the Treatment of Anhedonia in Depression. CNS Drugs (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-024-01099-8

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