Abby Normal

The research Collin and Yuri are doing with ketamine somewhat parallels with the amobarbital therapy Abby uses for Jordan. Both barbiturates and ketamine have sedative-hypnotic properties, just through different mechanisms, barbiturates like amobarbital are GABA receptor agonists and ketamine is a NMDA receptor antagonist. However they both have a somewhat similar effect when it comes to lowering inhibition and allowing the subconscious to express itself more easily while under the drug's influence. Barbiturates have been studied for their use in psychotherapy since the 1950's, but research into ketamine's uses in both neurology and psychiatry are more recent, it wasn't until 2010 that serious research began into what Collin and Yuri were studying. That research has shown a lot of promise too, as of 2022 ketamine is under investigation for its use in treatment-resistant depression due to its ability to cause rapid and sustained neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to heal and rewire damaged neurons). Ketamine is also being studied to treat aspects of Parkinson's disease as well, a phase II clinical study showed that ketamine can safely and effectively reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's patients. Another phase II study is being done to test the use of ketamine as an antidepressant for patients with Parkinson's disease. Both are showing promising results.

In the final scene, a close up shot shows Abby entering her identification number to log in to the examination system. The camera then switches to a wide shot of the exam hall and pans to Abby, who is entering her identification number again, even though she already did that in the previous shot.

References Star Trek (1966)