Lanicemine has been investigated for its potential as a rapid-acting antidepressant. It acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, which is believed to contribute to its fast onset of action in reducing depressive symptoms. Unlike traditional antidepressants that may take weeks to show effects, lanicemine showed promise in providing relief within hours to days in clinical trials. It was explored for use in treatment-resistant depression, where patients do not respond to standard therapies. However, development was discontinued due to mixed efficacy results and safety concerns at higher doses. Despite this, it contributed valuable insights into glutamate-based treatments for mood disorders.