MD Anderson discovers neuroimmune pathways shared by rapid‑acting antidepressants

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center identified common neuroimmune pathways that are activated by rapid‑acting antidepressants such as ketamine and psychedelic compounds. The study, published in peer‑reviewed journals, was co‑led by Gregory Jones, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry. It showed that despite acting on different brain receptors, these drugs trigger similar immune‑related molecular changes in brain cells and matching shifts in patients' blood, including lower baseline interleukin‑15 activity and higher B‑cell signaling in responders. The findings could enable biomarkers to predict which individuals with treatment‑resistant depression, a condition common among cancer patients, are most likely to benefit from these therapies.

"Ketamine and psychedelics affect the brain in different ways subjectively, but our findings suggest that they eventually end up in some of the same neuroimmune pathways," Jones said.