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Novel ketamine and zinc treatment for anorexia nervosa and the potential beneficial interactions with the gut microbiome
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Novel ketamine and zinc treatment for anorexia nervosa and the potential beneficial interactions with the gut microbiome

Rosiel Elwyn, Jules Mitchell, Michael R Kohn, Christina Driver, Phillipa Hay, Jim Lagopoulos and Daniel Hermens
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Vol.148, pp.1-37
2023
PMID: 36907256
Appears in  Thompson Institute Research Collection
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105122View
Published Version

Abstract

Behavioural neuroscience Clinical psychology anorexia nervosa severe-enduring anorexia nervosa eating disorders Gut microbiome Trauma PTSD Interoception glutamate GABA leptin Stress Suicide neurobiology model Ketamine zinc novel treatment medication pharmacology innovative co-design lived experience neurotransmitter chronic stress psychedelics Ketamine Thompson Institute Special Collection UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe illness with diverse aetiological and maintaining contributors including neurobiological, metabolic, psychological, and social determining factors. In addition to nutritional recovery, multiple psychological and pharmacological therapies and brain-based stimulations have been explored; however, existing treatments have limited efficacy. This paper outlines a neurobiological model of glutamatergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic dysfunction, exacerbated by chronic gut microbiome dysbiosis and zinc depletion at a brain and gut level. The gut microbiome is established early in development, and early exposure to stress and adversity contribute to gut microbial disturbance in AN, early dysregulation to glutamatergic and GABAergic networks, interoceptive impairment, and inhibited caloric harvest from food (e.g., zinc malabsorption, competition for zinc ions between gut bacteria and host). Zinc is a key part of glutamatergic and GABAergic networks, and also affects leptin and gut microbial function; systems dysregulated in AN. Low doses of ketamine in conjunction with zinc, could provide an efficacious combination to act on NMDA receptors and normalise glutamatergic, GABAergic and gut function in AN.

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