Symposium
Session Room: M1
Session Room: M1
Saturday, June 27, 05:40 PM – 06:55 PM
Symposium 9:
Understanding of SSRIs, Ketamine and Depression: Insights from PET, fMRI, Chronic SSRI Use and Large-Scale Data for Targeted Interventions
Understanding of SSRIs, Ketamine and Depression: Insights from PET, fMRI, Chronic SSRI Use and Large-Scale Data for Targeted Interventions
This symposium brings together leading experts in neuroimaging, neuropsychopharmacology, and cognitive neuroscience to explore the multifaceted effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and ketamine on brain function and their implications for treating depression. The session will highlight cutting-edge research using PET and fMRI imaging, chronic SSRI administration studies, ketamine research, and large-scale data analytics to uncover novel insights into serotonergic mechanisms and their therapeutic potential.
Dr Christelle Langley from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge (UK) will start the symposium by present findings from her recent work on the cognitive effects of chronic SSRI use, specifically escitalopram, in healthy individuals. Using a combination of behavioural assessments1, functional MRI during reward learning2 and face processing3 tasks, and PET imaging of synaptic density4, Dr Langley will discuss how sustained serotonergic modulation impacts decision-making, cognitive flexibility, and feedback learning. Her talk will bridge the gap between neurochemical changes and cognitive outcomes, providing insights into how SSRIs may influence broader neuropsychiatric treatment strategies.
Professor Benjamin Becker from the Department of Psychology at the University of Hong Kong (PRC) will present work on the development and application of precision pharmaco-imaging5,6 which combines recent developments in machine learning based neural decoding, transcriptomics and naturalistic designs to decode emotional processes and neurofunctional alterations in psychiatric disorders7,8. He will demonstrate how neural decoding techniques applied to human fMRI data can identify robust emotional signatures and translate them into clinically relevant markers. These neuromarkers can then be used to rapidly evaluate the efficacy of novel pharmacological interventions, including serotonergic agents, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments in neuropsychiatry.
Dr Carlos Zarate from the National Institute of Mental Health (USA) will conclude the symposium with a presentation on the use of ketamine in depression, focusing on its rapid antidepressant effects and emerging role in reward circuitry. His research explores how ketamine’s unique pharmacological profile, distinct from traditional antidepressants, may offer new insights into treatment-resistant mood disorders9.10. The talk will also touch on neurobiological mechanisms underlying ketamine’s action11,12, including its impact on glutamatergic signalling and synaptic plasticity. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting novel approaches to psychiatric treatment through precision medicine.
Together, these talks will provide a comprehensive overview of current advances in SSRI and ketamine research, from molecular imaging to cognitive outcomes and data-driven intervention strategies. The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and inspire future research that integrates neuroimaging, pharmacology, and computational approaches to improve mental health care.
Dr Christelle Langley from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge (UK) will start the symposium by present findings from her recent work on the cognitive effects of chronic SSRI use, specifically escitalopram, in healthy individuals. Using a combination of behavioural assessments1, functional MRI during reward learning2 and face processing3 tasks, and PET imaging of synaptic density4, Dr Langley will discuss how sustained serotonergic modulation impacts decision-making, cognitive flexibility, and feedback learning. Her talk will bridge the gap between neurochemical changes and cognitive outcomes, providing insights into how SSRIs may influence broader neuropsychiatric treatment strategies.
Professor Benjamin Becker from the Department of Psychology at the University of Hong Kong (PRC) will present work on the development and application of precision pharmaco-imaging5,6 which combines recent developments in machine learning based neural decoding, transcriptomics and naturalistic designs to decode emotional processes and neurofunctional alterations in psychiatric disorders7,8. He will demonstrate how neural decoding techniques applied to human fMRI data can identify robust emotional signatures and translate them into clinically relevant markers. These neuromarkers can then be used to rapidly evaluate the efficacy of novel pharmacological interventions, including serotonergic agents, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments in neuropsychiatry.
Dr Carlos Zarate from the National Institute of Mental Health (USA) will conclude the symposium with a presentation on the use of ketamine in depression, focusing on its rapid antidepressant effects and emerging role in reward circuitry. His research explores how ketamine’s unique pharmacological profile, distinct from traditional antidepressants, may offer new insights into treatment-resistant mood disorders9.10. The talk will also touch on neurobiological mechanisms underlying ketamine’s action11,12, including its impact on glutamatergic signalling and synaptic plasticity. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting novel approaches to psychiatric treatment through precision medicine.
Together, these talks will provide a comprehensive overview of current advances in SSRI and ketamine research, from molecular imaging to cognitive outcomes and data-driven intervention strategies. The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and inspire future research that integrates neuroimaging, pharmacology, and computational approaches to improve mental health care.
06:30 PM – 06:55 PM
25 min
25 min