Gerard Sanacora, Professor at Yale, on glutamate, GABA, and the next era of depression treatment

Brandon Li talks with Dr. Gerard Sanacora, Professor of Psychiatry at Yale, about his journey from molecular physiology to pioneering research on GABA, glutamate, and rapid-acting antidepressants. Gerard shares how a surprising finding in patients undergoing ECT redirected his research toward depression—and eventually to ketamine. Their conversation explores the science of neuroplasticity, the complexities behind ketamine’s mechanism of action, and how interventional psychiatry and digital tools may shape the future of mental health care.