Exploring Ketamine's Effects on Depression, PTSD, and Biological Ageing: New Insights from Epigenetics
Article Title: “Ketamine Treatment Effects on DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Biomarkers of Aging”
Authors: Kristin Dawson, Athena May Jean M. Carangan, Jessica Klunder, Natalia Carreras-Gallo, Raghav Sehgal, Samantha Megilligan, Benjamin C. Askins, Nicole Perkins, Tavis L. Mendez, Ryan Smith, Matthew Dawson, Michael Mallin, Albert T. Higgins-Chen, Varun B. Dwaraka
Publication Date: 11th September, 2024
Background
This study addresses a compelling intersection of mental health and biological aging by investigating ketamine’s impact on patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDD and PTSD are often associated with accelerated biological aging, as indicated by epigenetic biomarkers. Ketamine, known for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties, is explored here for its potential to slow down aging at the cellular level. The study focuses on key biomarkers linked to biological age, providing insight into ketamine’s wider therapeutic effects.
Study Overview
The research included 20 participants with moderate to severe MDD or PTSD, who had not responded to traditional treatments. Over a period of two to three weeks, participants received six low-dose ketamine infusions. Researchers measured the participants’ DNA methylation levels and assessed their biological age using epigenetic biomarkers before and after treatment. These biomarkers included GrimAge V2, PhenoAge, and OMICmAge, which are indicators of cellular ageing.
Key Findings
Symptom Improvement: Following ketamine treatment, participants reported significant reductions in depression and PTSD symptoms, assessed through standardised questionnaires.
Reduction in Epigenetic Age: The OMICmAge, GrimAge V2, and PhenoAge biomarkers all indicated a decrease in biological age after treatment. Of these, OMICmAge was the most significant, highlighting its unique sensitivity to changes in ageing at the molecular level.
Immune Cell Changes: A notable reduction in CD4T memory cells was observed, suggesting ketamine influences immune markers associated with biological ageing.
Discussion
Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects, alongside the observed reductions in biological age, suggest that ketamine may influence the biological pathways of ageing and inflammation. The results indicate that ketamine could have potential applications beyond mood regulation, possibly aiding in biological rejuvenation. OMICmAge, a comprehensive biomarker, proved especially sensitive to these changes, showing promise as a measure for future studies on ageing and psychiatric treatments.
Implications
The study reveals the potential of ketamine in reducing biological age in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. These findings may encourage more research into psychedelic and alternative therapies that target both psychological symptoms and cellular aging processes. OMICmAge and other biomarkers could serve as powerful tools to monitor these effects, paving the way for novel approaches to mental health and longevity.
Potential Application
For those interested in psychedelic-assisted therapies, these findings underscore ketamine’s potential as a multifaceted treatment. Integrating ketamine with other wellness practices, such as mindfulness and retreats, could enhance not only mental wellbeing but also physical resilience, offering a holistic approach to ageing and healing.
Conclusions
This study provides initial evidence that ketamine may reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD while also slowing cellular ageing. The impact on biomarkers like OMICmAge highlights ketamine’s potential in treating complex mental health conditions through biological mechanisms. Future research with larger samples will further clarify ketamine’s role in mental health and longevity.
Reference:
Dawson, K., Carangan, A. M. J. M., Klunder, J., Carreras-Gallo, N., Sehgal, R., Megilligan, S., et al. (2024). Ketamine treatment effects on DNA methylation and Epigenetic Biomarkers of aging. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.10.24313258
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