Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Esmethadone-HCl (REL-1017): a promising rapid antidepressant
Maurizio Fava1, Stephen M Stahl2,3, Sara De Martin4
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Esmethadone, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, shows promise for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and other neurological conditions. Research explores its potential and compares it with existing NMDAR antagonists.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other neurological conditions remain significant health challenges.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists represent a novel therapeutic class with demonstrated efficacy.
- Understanding the role of NMDARs in neural plasticity is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on esmethadone as a potential new drug.
- To compare esmethadone with other uncompetitive NMDAR antagonists, including esketamine, ketamine, dextromethorphan, and memantine.
- To advance the understanding of NMDARs in neural plasticity and their role in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- In silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data analysis.
- Comparative review of NMDAR antagonists.
- Literature review of recent studies on esmethadone.
Main Results:
- Esmethadone is a promising uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist.
- NMDAR antagonists show efficacy in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), Alzheimer's dementia, and pseudobulbar affect.
- Data suggests NMDAR antagonists may offer rapid antidepressant effects.
Conclusions:
- Esmethadone holds potential as a novel therapeutic agent.
- Further research into NMDAR antagonists can illuminate the neurobiology of MDD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Understanding NMDARs in neural plasticity is key for future therapeutic strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications

