NYMC Faculty Publications
Investigational Drugs in Recent Clinical Trials for Treatment-Resistant Depression
DOI
10.1080/14737175.2017.1283217
Journal Title
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
First Page
593
Last Page
609
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2017
Department
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The authors describe the medications for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in phase II/III of clinical development in the EU and USA and provide an opinion on how current treatment can be improved in the near future. Areas covered: Sixty-two trials were identified in US and EU clinical trial registries that included six investigational compounds in recent phase III development and 12 others in recent phase II clinical trials. Glutamatergic agents have been the focus of many studies. A single intravenous dose of the glutamatergic modulator ketamine produces a robust and rapid antidepressant effect in persons with TRD; this effect continues to remain significant for 1 week. This observation was a turning point that opened the way for other, more selective glutamatergic modulators (intranasal esketamine, AVP-786, AVP-923, AV-101, and rapastinel). Of the remaining compounds, monoclonal antibodies open highly innovative therapeutic options, based on new pathophysiological approaches to depression. Expert commentary: Promising new agents are emerging for TRD treatment. Glutamatergic modulators likely represent a very promising alternative to monoaminergic antidepressant monotherapy. We could see the arrival of the first robust and rapid acting antidepressant drug in the near future, which would strongly facilitate the ultimate goal of recovery in persons with TRD.
Recommended Citation
Garay, R., Zarate, C., Charpeaud, T., Citrome, L., Correll, C., Hameg, A., & Llorca, P. (2017). Investigational Drugs in Recent Clinical Trials for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 17 (6), 593-609. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2017.1283217
Publisher's Statement
Originally published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 17 (6), 593-609. The original material can be found here.