This invention provides a method for improving the
antidepressant effect of an NMDAR pore
channel blocker, comprising: (1) performing behavioral, pharmacological, or physical measures before or during the
plasma half-life of the NMDAR pore
channel blocker to open
ion channels of a larger proportion of NMDAR molecules in the lateral habenula (LHb); and optionally (2) performing behavioral, pharmacological, or physical measures after administration of the NMDAR pore
channel blocker to prevent or reduce the dissociation of NMDAR pore channel blocker molecules from NMDAR. Treatment regimens and
drug combinations for effectively treating depression are also provided. This disclosure further provides a
drug delivery system comprising an implantable unit capable of controlled, repeatable, and precise
in vivo delivery of an NMDAR pore channel blocker, as well as an initiator and / or
enhancer, to an LHb region of a subject's brain, thereby achieving improved therapeutic effects.