Abstract

The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine has been proposed to have rapid and persistent antidepressant actions in rodents, but its mechanism of action is controversial. We have compared the ability of (R,S)-ketamine with the (2S,6S)- and (2R,6R)-isomers of hydroxynorketamine to affect the induction of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor–dependent long-term potentiation in the mouse hippocampus. Following pre-incubation of these compounds, we observed a concentration-dependent (1–10 μM) inhibition of long-term potentiation by ketamine and a similar effect of (2S,6S)-hydroxynorketamine. At a concentration of 10 μM, (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine also inhibited the induction of long-term potentiation. These findings raise the possibility that inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor–mediated synaptic plasticity is a site of action of the hydroxynorketamine metabolites with respect to their rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects.