重大发现！全球3.3亿人的难题 被中国团队找到关键突破口

Core Insights - A Chinese research team has identified a common mechanism driving the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), focusing on the adenosine signaling pathway in the medial prefrontal cortex [2][5][12]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in the journal Nature confirms that both ketamine and ECT induce a significant and sustained increase in adenosine levels in the brain, which is crucial for their antidepressant effects [2][5]. - The research utilized gene-encoded fluorescent probes to observe adenosine signaling in live animal brains, marking a significant advancement in understanding the biological mechanisms behind these therapies [5][12]. - The team conducted experiments that demonstrated blocking adenosine signaling negated the antidepressant effects of both treatments, while activating this pathway produced similar effects in animal models [5][12]. Group 2: Development of New Treatments - The research has led to the design of new candidate drugs with fewer side effects, as well as a non-drug therapy called intermittent hypoxia (aIH), which is currently in clinical validation [2][12][15]. - The new drug candidates, including "dechloroketamine" (DCK), have shown promising results in animal tests, achieving significant adenosine release at lower doses compared to traditional ketamine [12][13]. - The aIH therapy aims to safely induce adenosine production through controlled low-oxygen breathing, with the potential for home use if clinical trials prove effective [14][15]. Group 3: Historical Context and Challenges - The research journey spanned over twelve years, with initial challenges in linking the immediate effects of ketamine on neural activity to its delayed antidepressant outcomes [6][7]. - A pivotal moment occurred in 2019 when the team successfully observed adenosine signaling dynamics in response to ketamine, leading to a renewed focus on this pathway [8][11]. - The team faced setbacks with traditional drug development approaches, prompting a shift towards exploring the anti-inflammatory properties of ketamine as a potential breakthrough [6][7].