Samuel Kohtala

Samuel Kohtala is a Docent in Neuropharmacology and Grant-Aided Researcher at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. He has been affiliated with the institution since 2012, serving as a Pharmacist, University Teacher (FaT), and currently as a Docent. Additionally, he held a Visiting Fellow position at Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, from 2020 to 2022.

• PhD in Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2025)
• MSc in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2019)

Kohtala’s research focuses on neuropharmacology, particularly the effects of rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and nitrous oxide. He investigates mechanisms involving TrkB activation, hypothermia, sleep physiology, and cortical activity. His work bridges anesthesia, psychiatry, and neurobiology, emphasizing the translational potential of these compounds for depression treatment.

His recent publications highlight trends in rapid-acting antidepressants, TrkB signaling, sleep-wake cycles, and cortical electrophysiology. Notably, he explores how temperature regulation and metabolic changes influence antidepressant efficacy.

• Albert Wuokko Young Researcher's Award 2020

Kohtala has participated in peer review for journals like Neuropharmacology, BMC Anesthesiology, and Frontiers in Psychiatry. He has supervised Master’s and Licentiate theses and contributed to 16 media appearances, including interviews with Iltalehti, YLE, and Business Insider, discussing ketamine therapy and its implications.