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Updated: Oct 14, 2025

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Ketamine and other N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulators in treatment of depression]
Stefan Vestring1,2, Katharina Domschke3,4, Claus Normann3,4
1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, 79104, Freiburg, Deutschland. Stefan.Vestring@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Abstract:
Since the first successful ketamine application in treatment-resistant depressive patients, the newly developed pharmaceutical class of rapid-acting antidepressants has been intensively investigated. The underlying mechanism of action by influencing the glutamatergic neurotransmission via a modulation of N‑methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, represents a completely new and promising interventional strategy in the treatment of affective disorders. In this very dynamic field, Spravato® (esketamine) is so far the only approved drug; however, many other substances are currently in the development and evaluation processes. This narrative review provides a critical overview of the most important substances, target structures and developmental stages of NMDAR modulators.
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