Adenosine signals may help ketamine and ECT relieve depression

Adenosine signalling may play a key role in the antidepressant effects of ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• Both ketamine and ECT lead to significant increases in adenosine levels in areas of the brain that regulate mood.
• Disruption of A1 and A2 adenosine receptors eliminates the therapeutic effects of these treatments, highlighting their importance.
• Adenosine signalling in the medial prefrontal cortex is particularly important for achieving antidepressant effects.
• Ketamine raises adenosine levels by changing how cells produce energy, without increasing neuron activity.
• Acute intermittent hypoxia, which lowers oxygen levels, also raises brain adenosine and has antidepressant effects, similar to ketamine and ECT.
• These findings suggest that targeting adenosine could lead to new, non-invasive treatments for major depressive disorder.

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