The novel antidepressant ketamine enhances dentate gyrus proliferation with no effects on synaptic plasticity or hippocampal function in depressive-like rats.

Aim: Major depressive disorder is a common and debilitating condition with substantial economic impact. Treatment options, although effective, are aimed at relieving the symptoms with limited disease modification. Ketamine, a commonly used anaesthetic, has received substantial attention as it shows rapid antidepressant effects clinically.