Yale researchers are in the process of developing a drug ketamine, which is effectual in generating anti-depressant effects in a matter of a few hours.

It is said that the drug was able to get a response from even those patients who did not respond to any other medicine. A novel research has revealed that how ketamine influences the functioning of the brain and how it works faster than its counterparts.

Ronald Duman, a Professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at Yale, spearheaded the study, along with George Aghajanian, who is a professor of pharmacology.

It is observed that other drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft take weeks before the patients start responding to them. These drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). On the other hand, one dosage of ketamine is effective and its effects can last for about10 days.

In the study, the researchers found that ketamine was helpful in establishing synaptic links between the neurons that were injured due to chronic stress.

Duman said, "Clearly, there is a need for a ketamine-like drug with rapid results. Ketamine is able to jumpstart and get these systems revved up again".

The study will appear in the journal Science, on Friday.