Ketamine holds promise for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but challenges remain in delivery and sustained effects. This controlled study evaluates a novel intranasal formulation, employing AmyloLipid nanovesicles (ALN) to enhance ketamine's therapeutic efficacy in a predator …
Neuroimaging techniques have a rightful place in the field of psychiatry. They are essential for differential diagnosis, especially when the psychiatric presentation is atypical. Furthermore, they associate brain dysfunction with psychiatric disorders, but they cannot yet provide a definitive psychi …
Neuroimaging techniques have a rightful place in the field of psychiatry. They are essential for differential diagnosis, especially when the psychiatric presentation is atypical. Furthermore, they associate brain dysfunction with psychiatric disorders, but they cannot yet provide a definitive psychi …
Twenty-four hours after administration, ketamine exerts rapid and robust antidepressant effects that are thought to be mediated by activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). To test this hypothesis, depressed patients were pretreated with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, prior to receiving ketamine. Twenty patients suffering a major depressive episode were randomized to pretreatment with oral rapamycin (6 mg) or placebo 2 h prior to the intravenous administration of ketamine 0.5 mg/kg in a double-blind cross-over design with treatment days separated by at least 2 weeks. Depression severity was assessed using Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Rapamycin pretreatment did not alter the antidepressant effects of ketamine at the 24-h timepoint. Over the subsequent 2-weeks, we found a significant treatment by time interaction (F(8,245) = 2.02, p = 0.04), suggesting a prolongation of the antidepressant effects of ketamine by rapamycin. Two weeks following ketamine administration, we found higher response (41%) and remission rates (29%) following rapamycin + ketamine compared to placebo + ketamine (13%, p = 0.04, and 7%, p = 0.003, respectively). In summary, single dose rapamycin pretreatment failed to block the antidepressant effects of ketamine, but it prolonged ketamine’s antidepressant effects. This observation raises questions about the role of systemic vs. local blockade of mTORC1 in the antidepressant effects of ketamine, provides preliminary evidence that rapamycin may extend the benefits of ketamine, and thereby potentially sheds light on mechanisms that contribute to depression relapse after ketamine administration.
DRUG GANG BUSTED: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in £multi-area operation
A Swansea man has been jailed for his role in a major organised crime gang that pumped drugs into communities across south Wales.
Bradley Williams, 38, from Swansea, was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.
He was part of a wider network supplying cocaine, cannabis and ketamine across the region — in what police described as a large-scale operation causing “misery and harm” to local communities.
The gang was brought down following a major investigation led by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales.
Major operation targets drug network
The investigation — known as Operation Allegro — targeted a sophisticated drugs network operating across south Wales and into southwest England.
Officers worked alongside Gwent Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary to dismantle the group, which was led by Gloucestershire-based Danny Tomlin.
The gang was responsible for supplying wholesale quantities of Class A drugs, including cocaine, as well as cannabis to a wide customer base.
Their operation stretched into communities across Swansea Bay and beyond.
Swansea link to wider criminal network
Williams played a key role in the network, admitting conspiracy to supply cannabis, offering to supply cocaine and ketamine, and possession of criminal property.
His involvement highlights how organised crime networks often rely on local figures to distribute drugs into towns and communities across the region.
Police say these operations fuel wider issues including addiction, violence and exploitation.
Cannabis factories uncovered
As part of the investigation, officers uncovered two sophisticated cannabis factories hidden inside residential properties.
The sites — located in Blackwood and Trebanog — were being used to produce large quantities of cannabis for distribution.
The discovery underlined the scale and organisation of the gang’s activities.
Early morning raids bring gang down
The network was dismantled following coordinated police raids across multiple locations in July 2025.
Officers executed a series of warrants over two days, arresting those involved and gathering key evidence.
Seven of the nine defendants later admitted their roles before or during trial.
Gang leader handed longest sentence
At Cardiff Crown Court, gang leader Danny Tomlin was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as cultivating cannabis.
Custody photo of gang leader, Danny TomlinOther key members from Newport and Gloucestershire received sentences ranging from several months to six years.
In total, the nine members of the group were handed combined sentences of more than 43 years behind bars.
Police: ‘Misery and harm’ caused to communities
Detective Inspector Vinnie Easton said the group had been driven by profit at the expense of local people.
He said: “This was a large-scale, complex investigation into an organised crime group who sought to profit from the misery and harm they brought to our communities.”
He added that the sentences should reassure the public that action is being taken against drug supply networks.
Impact felt across Swansea Bay
While the gang operated across multiple areas, cases like this highlight the impact organised crime has on communities in Swansea and across the wider region.
Police say tackling drug supply remains a priority, with networks like this often linked to wider criminal activity.
Residents are being urged to report concerns about suspected drug dealing.
Public urged to come forward
Anyone with information about drug supply can contact police via 101 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Officers say intelligence from the public plays a key role in building cases against organised crime groups.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Portmead plasterer jailed for drug dealing
Repeat offending highlights ongoing drug supply issues in Swansea communities.
Two men behind “Marcus Line” drugs supply jailed
Another organised operation targeting local users brought down by police.
Two Swansea dealers jailed after topping up drugs hotline
Police uncovered a mobile phone network used to supply cocaine across the city.
Cocaine traffickers jailed after Swansea drug handover intercepted
Specialist officers disrupted another supply chain operating in the region.
Adenosine signalling is identified as the central mechanism of action of the antidepressant effects of ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy, and newly developed analogues of ketamine exhibit improved antidepressant efficacy with reduced side effects.
Depressive syndromes are among the most common mental conditions in primary care. They are associated with high morbidity and relevantly reduced quality of life. General practitioners (GPs) play a central role in early detecting and diagnosing depression as well as in initial treatment. This paper s …
Current evidence, albeit limited, suggests that esketamine appears to be cognitively safe in adults with treatment-resistant depression and may confer selective improvements, particularly in attention and processing speed, with more variable benefits in memory and executive functioning over sustaine …
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