Ketamine prevents inflammation-induced reduction of human hippocampal neurogenesis via inhibiting the production of neurotoxic metabolites of the kynurenine pathway

Understanding the precise mechanisms of ketamine is crucial for replicating its rapid antidepressant effects without inducing psychomimetic changes. Here, we explore whether the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine enantiomers are underscored by protection against cytokine-induced reductions in hippocampal neurogenesis and activation of the neurotoxic kynurenine pathway, in our well-established in vitro model of depression in a dish.