Iowa Psychiatrist Explores Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Dr. Mark Niciu's research focuses on glutamate and low-dose ketamine as potential therapies.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:30pm

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray-style image of the internal structure of the human brain, with glowing blue and purple neural pathways and anatomical features visible against a dark background, conceptually representing the focus of Dr. Niciu's research on the neurobiology of depression.An X-ray-like visualization of the complex neural networks in the brain, which Dr. Niciu's research aims to better understand in order to develop more effective treatments for severe depression.Iowa City Today

Dr. Mark Niciu, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, leads a research lab focused on the pathophysiology and experimental therapeutics of major mood disorders. His work specifically examines the use of glutamate and subanesthetic-dose ketamine in treating treatment-resistant major depression, as well as identifying biomarkers to predict antidepressant response.

Why it matters

Ketamine has shown promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, particularly for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and potential long-term effects. Dr. Niciu's work aims to advance the scientific understanding and clinical applications of ketamine and other novel approaches to treating severe, treatment-resistant depression.

The details

The Niciu Lab at the University of Iowa is exploring the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate and the use of subanesthetic-dose ketamine as potential therapies for major depressive disorder. Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in some patients when administered at lower, sub-anesthetic doses. Dr. Niciu's research is focused on further elucidating ketamine's mechanisms of action and identifying biomarkers that could help predict which patients are most likely to respond to this experimental treatment.

  • Dr. Niciu has been an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa since 2019.

The players

Dr. Mark Niciu

An Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine who leads a research lab focused on the pathophysiology and experimental therapeutics of major mood disorders.

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

The medical school at the University of Iowa where Dr. Niciu holds his faculty position.

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What they’re saying

“Our work is aimed at furthering the identification, replication, and dissemination of antidepressant response biomarkers.”

— Dr. Mark Niciu, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

The takeaway

Dr. Niciu's research represents an important effort to better understand the potential of ketamine and other novel approaches to treating severe, treatment-resistant depression, a debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of people.