勃林格殷格翰的挑战：找到氯胺酮的抗抑郁作用的机理

重性抑郁障碍（MDD）是一种使人衰弱的精神障碍，在美国约有20000000流行病例。然而不同的抗抑郁药可用于治疗不同的抑郁症，，约50%的抑郁症患者的初始治疗结果不理想。最近有证据表明，在发病的几个小时内氯胺酮给药治疗难治性抑郁症已经显著有所改善。勃林格殷格翰公司寻找氯胺酮在人体中反应和持续的抗抑郁作用的机理。
Boehringer Ingelheim Challenge: Understanding the Antidepressant Effect of Ketamine
 
TAGS: Nature, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Ideation
AWARD: $21,000 USD  |  DEADLINE: 1/15/15  |  ACTIVE SOLVERS: 20  |  POSTED: 12/15/14 

1. The Challenge and qualification for the award

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with about 20 million prevalent cases in the United States. Various antidepressants are available for treatment of patients suffering from MDD, however, about 50% of MDD patients do not respond adequately to initial treatments. Recent evidence shows that ketamine administered to patients with treatment resistant depression has resulted in marked improvement within hours of treatment. Boehringer Ingelheim (the Seeker) desires a working hypothesis for ketamine’s mechanism of action and sustained antidepressant effect.

The submitted solutions will be considered for the award. There will be a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution. The total payout will be $21,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $12,000 and no award being smaller than $3,000.

2. Additional application for Research Funding

In addition to consideration for the award for the submitted Solutions, Solvers with appropriate qualifications and expertise having access to a suitable research laboratory and equipment can apply for research funding (“Research Funding”) to execute a research plan that is proposed in the Solution. The requested funding should not exceed a funding period of 2 years and a total budget of $200,000. The selection of candidates for Research Funding will be conducted after completion of this Challenge, and will require the submission of additional information. The decision to fund research will be at the discretion of the Seeker.