1705 results for "Ketamine"
Urological symptoms following ketamine treatment for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 30, 2025
Summary
Concerns about bladder issues from therapeutic Ketamine for psychiatric conditions like depression appear largely unfounded. A review of clinical studies examined urology-related adverse event reports. Findings suggest only a small percentage of patients experienced mild bladder symptoms, and overall urinary function showed no significant changes. This indicates that therapeutic Ketamine does not seem to elevate urological risks.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a putative rapid-acting treatment option for psychiatric disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression. Chronic re...
Fine-tuning of dopamine receptor signaling with aripiprazole counteracts ketamine's dissociative action, but not its antidepressant effect.
Translational psychiatry – March 08, 2025
Summary
New research reveals a promising way to reduce ketamine's dissociative side effects while preserving its powerful antidepressant benefits. Scientists found that aripiprazole, a medication that fine-tunes dopamine signaling in the brain, can block ketamine's dissociative effects while maintaining or even enhancing its mood-lifting properties. Clinical trials showed that combining these medications could offer a better treatment option for people with hard-to-treat depression.
Abstract
Ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, has undesirable psychotomimetic effects, including a dissociative effect. There is currently no effective ...
Role of CaMKII/CREB pathway in rapid-antidepressant-like effect: comparison of ketamine with rapastinel.
Experimental brain research – May 04, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough findings reveal how two promising depression treatments - ketamine and rapastinel - work through different brain pathways to combat chronic stress. While both drugs boost mood-related BDNF proteins, they interact differently with brain signaling systems. Ketamine requires CaMKII/CREB activation for its antidepressant effects, while rapastinel works better when this pathway is blocked, suggesting multiple routes to enhance synaptic plasticity and mood.
Abstract
Recent studies in mouse models have demonstrated that ketamine and rapastinel induce rapid-acting and sustained antidepressant effects in major dep...
Ketamine induces multiple individually distinct whole-brain functional connectivity signatures.
eLife – April 17, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's effects on the brain are as unique as fingerprints, revealing distinct patterns in each person. Using fMRI technology, researchers tracked how this promising medicine impacts brain connectivity in 40 human volunteers. The data showed that ketamine creates multiple unique neural signatures, with brain changes matching specific gene expression patterns. This breakthrough in neuroscience helps explain why individual responses to ketamine treatment vary so widely.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as one of the most promising therapies for treatment-resistant depression. However, inter-individual variability in response t...
Effects of Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion on the Positive and Negative Domains of Hopelessness and Suicidal Thoughts.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – July 08, 2024
Summary
A single low-dose ketamine treatment showed promising results in quickly reducing feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. In a controlled trial with 84 patients, those receiving ketamine reported significantly improved outlook within 4 hours and reduced negative thoughts by day 2, compared to those given a different medication. The treatment's rapid effect on hopelessness was directly linked to decreased suicidal ideation.
Abstract
Background: Low-dose ketamine infusion has been demonstrated to exert antisuicidal effects on patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) an...
Age, Dose, and Locomotion: Decoding Vulnerability to Ketamine in C57BL/6J and BALB/c Mice.
Biomedicines – June 25, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Ketamine has been abused as a psychedelic agent and causes diverse neurobehavioral changes. Adolescence is a critical developmental stage but vulne...
Neuroimaging correlates and predictors of response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine in PTSD: preliminary evidence
medRxiv Preprint Server – April 10, 2021
Summary
Brain imaging reveals a fascinating link: **improvement** in **PTSD symptoms** after **ketamine treatment** is tied to specific changes in **brain activity**. Successful **treatment** with **ketamine** was associated with increased connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, key regions for emotion regulation. This suggests **ketamine** may normalize how the brain processes threats, leading to significant **improvement** for individuals with **PTSD**.
Abstract
Promising initial data indicate that the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine may be beneficial in post-traumatic str...
Psychotherapy for Ketamine's Enhanced Durability in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR research protocols – April 17, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research explores combining ketamine treatments with psychotherapy to combat chronic pain, which affects 1 in 5 Canadians. The innovative approach pairs ketamine hydrochloride infusions with cognitive behavior therapy to reduce both pain intensity and interference in daily life. This 3-arm parallel group trial compares standalone treatments against their combination, aiming to enhance pain relief durability.
Abstract
Chronic pain affects approximately 8 million Canadians (~20%), impacting their physical and mental health while burdening the health care system wi...
REVOLUTIONIZING DEPRESSION TREATMENT: A PARADIGM SHIFT OF KETAMINE THERAPY – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research – August 07, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, ketamine therapy can reduce depression symptoms within 40 minutes, with benefits lasting up to one week. A systematic review of 14 primary clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials, confirmed ketamine's effectiveness across major depressive disorder, bipolar illness, and postpartum depression. It also improved anxiety and was generally safe, with most side effects resolving quickly. This fast-acting intervention represents a promising new approach, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Objectives: Primary Objective: (1) The objectives of the study are as follows: assessment of the effectiveness of ketamine-based treatment in known...
Radiologist-guided Analgosedation with Ketamine/Midazolam: A Feasible Strategy to Expand Percutaneous Tumor Ablation Capacity.
RoFo : Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete der Rontgenstrahlen und der Nuklearmedizin – February 06, 2026
Summary
Tumor ablation capacity can triple when radiologists administer sedation. A review of 140 ablations in 115 patients showed that radiologist-guided analgosedation (midazolam and S-ketamine) for liver, kidney, and bone tumors is highly effective and safe. 98.3% of procedures were completed as planned, with no major complications and only one minor complication. This approach boosted monthly ablations from 2.1 to 6.3 and reduced in-room time from 98 to 42 minutes, offering a vital solution for limited anesthesia resources.
Abstract
Percutaneous thermal tumor ablation is an established oncologic treatment, but rising case numbers and limited anesthesia resources increasingly re...
Dose-dependent side effects of prehospital analgesia with ketamine for winter sports injuries - an observational study.
BMC emergency medicine – June 07, 2025
Summary
In alpine emergency medicine, ketamine proves remarkably effective for prehospital analgesia, with 85% of winter sports trauma patients reporting feeling safe during treatment. This study tracked 49 skiing accident victims who received ketamine for pain management, finding that two-thirds experienced either no or mild side effects. Surprisingly, higher doses didn't increase adverse reactions, and adding midazolam actually improved patient comfort. These findings support ketamine's role in trauma management on the slopes.
Abstract
Ketamine is one of the most used drugs in trauma patients after skiing accidents. However, the environmental conditions for these patients are ofte...
Thalamocortical functional connectivity and rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects of low-dose ketamine infusion among patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Molecular psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
A low dose of ketamine shows promise in rapidly altering brain connectivity patterns in people with hard-to-treat depression. Brain scans revealed that ketamine treatment changed communication between the thalamus and frontal brain regions in patients who hadn't responded to standard antidepressants. While some connections strengthened and others weakened, these changes occurred within just three days of a single ketamine dose.
Abstract
Previous studies have shown an association between the thalamocortical dysconnectivity and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Whether a single s...
A Case of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Therapeutic Ketamine Use for Sedation.
Case reports in critical care – January 01, 2024
Summary
A rare but serious side effect of ketamine therapy has been documented: liver toxicity. When used for sedation in a 27-year-old ICU patient, ketamine caused concerning elevation in liver enzymes. The condition resolved after stopping the medication. This case highlights that while ketamine is generally safe for short-term use, monitoring liver function during treatment is crucial for patient safety.
Abstract
Ketamine, initially developed as an anesthetic, has shown versatility in medical applications, including pain management, treatment-resistant depre...
Ketamine disrupts consciousness in healthy participants in relation with psychotic-like symptoms.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – November 08, 2025
Summary
Low doses of ketamine can significantly disrupt our conscious perception of visual information. Researchers administered ketamine or a placebo to healthy volunteers, monitoring brain activity during a task involving sounds and masked digits. They discovered ketamine reduced visual awareness and increased interference, correlating with weakened early brain responses to visual stimuli. Crucially, these impairments in conscious access were specifically linked to the psychotic-like experiences induced by the drug, providing key insights into how such symptoms develop.
Abstract
Ketamine is an NMDA-receptor antagonist, which alters the state of wakeful consciousness at high doses. At lower doses, it induces reversible psych...
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) changes in rodent models of schizophrenia induced by ketamine: a systematic review.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology – February 20, 2025
Summary
A key brain protein may hold clues to schizophrenia's development. Scientists found that ketamine, when given to mice and rats, alters brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels differently based on timing and species. Long-term treatment decreased BDNF in both animals, while short-term exposure actually increased it, revealing complex patterns in brain chemistry changes linked to schizophrenia symptoms.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder ranking among the top ten global disability causes. In rodents, sub-chronic or chronic ketamine...
Functional changes in sleep-related arousal after ketamine administration in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Translational psychiatry – June 04, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's impact on sleep patterns reveals fascinating insights into depression treatment. New research shows that people with treatment-resistant depression sleep differently than healthy individuals, getting less total sleep and entering REM sleep more quickly. After ketamine treatment, patients experienced increased deep sleep early in the night and showed improved quiet wakefulness later on, though these changes weren't directly linked to reduced depression symptoms.
Abstract
The glutamatergic modulator ketamine is associated with changes in sleep, depression, and suicidal ideation (SI). This study sought to evaluate dif...
[Interest and mechanisms of action of ketamine in alcohol addiction- A review of clinical and preclinical studies].
Biologie aujourd'hui – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by chronic and excessive drinking despite negative consequences on overall heal...
Prophylactic Ketamine: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.
Biological psychiatry – March 28, 2025
Summary
Recent findings suggest ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows remarkable potential as a neuroprotective drug when given before stressful events. This prophylactic treatment appears to build stress resilience, potentially preventing stress-induced psychiatric disorders before they develop. Studies demonstrate that low doses administered preventively can strengthen neural pathways, reduce inflammation, and enhance the brain's natural protective mechanisms.
Abstract
The prevalence of stress-induced disorders, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postpartum depression, has been incre...
Brain region-specific action of ketamine as a rapid antidepressant.
Science (New York, N.Y.) – August 09, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects stem primarily from its action in a specific brain region called the lateral habenula, rather than affecting the entire brain equally. The drug works by blocking certain receptors more effectively in this area, which acts like a master switch for mood regulation. This targeted action triggers a cascade of positive changes, including increased serotonin and growth factors in other brain regions, ultimately lifting depression symptoms rapidly.
Abstract
Ketamine has been found to have rapid and potent antidepressant activity. However, despite the ubiquitous brain expression of its molecular target,...
A Global Population-Based Study on the Association Between Ketamine and Esketamine With Suicidality Using WHO VigiBase.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – July 07, 2025
Summary
A global review of drug safety data reveals intriguing patterns: while one medication, esketamine, showed a higher association with suicidal thoughts, both esketamine and its parent compound, ketamine, were linked to *fewer* reports of suicide attempts and completed suicides compared to other common psychiatric drugs. Researchers analyzed millions of reports to understand the relationship between these compounds and suicidality. The findings highlight complex associations, suggesting potential benefits regarding severe outcomes, though direct cause-and-effect cannot be established.
Abstract
Background: Ketamine and esketamine have been reported to rapidly alleviate various parameters of suicidality, with antisuicidal effects that may b...
Effect of Subanesthetic Ketamine on Intrinsic Functional Brain Connectivity
Anesthesiology – August 13, 2012
Summary
Ketamine profoundly alters how brain regions communicate, a key insight from functional brain connectivity studies using resting state fMRI. In 12 healthy male volunteers, low-dose Ketamine infusion decreased connectivity in areas like the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, crucial for pain processing. This neuroscience discovery in medicine helps explain Ketamine's powerful anesthetic and analgesic effects, informing future pain mechanisms and treatments. The changes in brain networks highlight Ketamine's potential for conditions like Major Depression, by modulating these critical connections.
Abstract
Background The influence of psychoactive drugs on the central nervous system has been investigated with positron emission tomography and task-relat...
Efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine in reducing the incidence of postpartum depression: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
BMC pregnancy and childbirth – February 06, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatments show promise for new mothers: Both ketamine and esketamine significantly reduce postpartum depression (PPD) risk in the weeks following childbirth. While ketamine helps short-term, esketamine proves effective for both immediate and long-term PPD prevention. Lower doses work just as well as higher ones, with only temporary side effects like dizziness.
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is categorized by the Disorders-Fifth Edition as depression that begins during pregnancy or within the first month afte...
Symptom modulation and tolerability of intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant bipolar depression: A retrospective study.
Journal of affective disorders – May 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in mental health treatment shows ketamine can safely reduce suicidal thoughts and improve sleep in people with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. In a 4-week study of 59 patients, carefully administered ketamine infusions significantly decreased depression symptoms without triggering manic episodes - a common concern in bipolar disorder treatment. Patients reported better sleep and reduced inner tension, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Ketamine's use in treating bipolar depression must account for risks, such as switching to manic episodes or worsening symptoms. This study examine...
Guideline on the Use of Intravenous Ketamine for Procedural Sedation in the Children's Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Project.
Cureus – December 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine sedation in UK children's emergency departments can reduce the need for general anesthesia by 50% during painful procedures. A quality improvement project at an NHS Trust showed that implementing clear guidelines for ketamine use boosted physician confidence and patient care. Staff training and standardized protocols led to safer, more effective procedural sedation in the children's ED.
Abstract
In pediatric emergency medicine, sedation is crucial for performing some therapeutic procedures in children. Ketamine is still not widely used, des...
Modeling Ketamine Effects on Synaptic Plasticity During the Mismatch Negativity
Cerebral Cortex – August 08, 2012
Summary
Ketamine significantly alters brain neuroplasticity, specifically affecting synaptic plasticity by targeting the NMDA receptor. Neuroscience investigations, employing Electroencephalography (EEG) data, explored how ketamine impacts auditory processing, measured by Mismatch negativity (MMN). This work, relevant to Functional Brain Connectivity Studies, revealed ketamine's effects on synaptic plasticity correlated with impairments in Psychology-related cognitive functions. Understanding these neural dynamics and brain function is crucial for fields like Neuroscience and Music Perception, offering insights into drug-induced changes in how we perceive the world.
Abstract
This paper presents a model-based investigation of mechanisms underlying the reduction of mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitudes under the NMDA-recep...
Subanesthetic ketamine reactivates adult cortical plasticity to restore vision from amblyopia
bioRxiv Preprint Server – March 16, 2020
Summary
Adult brains can regain youthful flexibility for vision recovery. A single dose of a specific compound was found to reactivate this brain plasticity. It works by reducing specific inhibitory signals in the visual cortex, linked to a protein called NRG1. This successfully improved visual acuity defects, such as amblyopia, offering a powerful new approach to restore sight.
Abstract
Subanesthetic ketamine evokes rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects in human patients. The mechanism for ketamine’s effects remains elusive...
Genetic ablation of the isoform γ of PI3K decreases antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in male mice.
IBRO neuroscience reports – December 01, 2024
Summary
A protein called PI3Kγ plays a crucial role in how well ketamine and other antidepressants work. When this protein is missing, mice show no improvement in coping behavior when treated with ketamine - a promising rapid-acting treatment for major depressive disorder. This discovery helps explain why some patients don't respond to antidepressants and could lead to better treatment matching.
Abstract
About one-third of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients demonstrate unresponsiveness to classic antidepressants, and even the clinical efficacy...
Ketamine decreases HPA axis reactivity to a novel stressor in male but not female mice
bioRxiv Preprint Server – June 29, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, a common antidepressant's effect on stress hormones varies between sexes. Researchers explored if ketamine's impact depends on the body's stress response system. Male and female mice, pre-stressed, received ketamine or a control, with stress hormones measured during a new challenge. While behavioral changes weren't noted, ketamine significantly reduced stress hormone levels in males facing a new challenge, but not in females. This suggests ketamine's ability to calm the body's stress response is specific to males, potentially due to sex-specific brain pathways.
Abstract
Ketamine is an antidepressant drug that interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but whether this interaction is important for...
"K Cramps," Recurrent Abdominal Pain in a Patient with Chronic Ketamine Use: A Case Report.
Clinical practice and cases in emergency medicine – August 01, 2024
Summary
Chronic ketamine use can cause mysterious, severe abdominal pain that stumps doctors. A recent medical case revealed how a patient's self-diagnosis through online forums led to the discovery that his unexplained pain was linked to long-term ketamine use. The pain resolved within 24 hours of stopping ketamine, highlighting the importance of considering drug use when evaluating unexplained stomach and back pain in emergency settings.
Abstract
Medical and nonmedical ketamine use is increasing in the United States. This will likely lead to an increase in emergency department (ED) visits in...
Ketamine potentiates a central glutamatergic presynapse
bioRxiv Preprint Server – December 17, 2023
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant action is counterintuitive: it blocks brain receptors yet boosts brain signaling. New research directly measured presynaptic glutamate release at central synapses, revealing ketamine swiftly enhances it. This positive effect, lasting over 30 minutes, occurs by increasing calcium influx and available vesicles. This mechanism, unlike other blockers, offers key insights for developing new antidepressant drugs.
Abstract
Ketamine produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects after brief exposure to a single dose. Counterintuitively, while ketamine acts primari...
Dissociating pain dimensions in cold allodynia: subanesthetic ketamine reveals heritable affective-motivational traits in mice.
Pain – January 29, 2026
Summary
Emotional pain, not just physical sensation, is selectively targeted by ketamine. In a model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy causing cold allodynia, subanesthetic ketamine significantly reduced affective-motivational pain behaviors (like bites and licks) across 6 inbred mouse strains, without affecting somatosensory responses. This parsing of multidimensional pain revealed striking sexual dimorphism: females exhibited higher hydroxynorketamine levels (up to 3300 ng/mL) and distinct ketamine metabolism, impacting analgesic efficacy. Male mice showed higher ketamine plasma levels (up to 6200 ng/mL).
Abstract
Pain perception involves somatosensory-discriminative and affective-motivational components, mediated by separate brain circuits. Traditional mouse...
Sphincter of oddi dysfunction induced by ketamine: A case report.
Clinical case reports – June 01, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine abuse, even at low doses, can disrupt a crucial muscle controlling bile flow in the digestive system. A recent medical case revealed how a young woman's recreational drug use led to severe abdominal pain from sphincter of oddi dysfunction. Early detection and stopping ketamine use resolved her biliary disease symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering drug abuse history when diagnosing unexplained digestive problems.
Abstract
Chronic ketamine use can lead to sphincter of oddi dysfunction (SOD), causing various hepatobiliary complications. Recognizing substance abuse hist...
Sex dependence of opioid-mediated responses to subanesthetic ketamine
bioRxiv Preprint Server – September 06, 2022
Summary
A surprising finding reveals how a rapid-acting antidepressant works differently in males and females. Research into ketamine's ability to quickly reduce depression symptoms found its beneficial brain effects, linked to mood and reward, depend on opioid signaling in males. This crucial opioid connection was absent in females and reversed in males without male hormones. This suggests ketamine's positive impact on depression is strongly influenced by sex, via opioid pathways in the brain.
Abstract
Subanesthetic ketamine rapidly and robustly reduces depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. While it is commonly class...
Quality of Recovery in Veterans Following Postoperative Ketamine Infusion Implementation.
Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses – November 18, 2025
Summary
For Veterans experiencing chronic pain, surgical recovery can be particularly challenging. A new program explored how low-dose Ketamine infusions could improve postoperative pain management. Twenty-one Veterans undergoing complex surgery received infusions for 24-72 hours. Remarkably, 80% achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in their Quality of recovery by day 30, with scores significantly rising. No adverse events were reported, demonstrating safety. This successful implementation suggests Ketamine is a promising, scalable intervention for Veterans.
Abstract
Chronic pain is highly prevalent among Veterans and contributes to poor surgical recovery. This pilot quality improvement project evaluated a struc...
Quantitative monitoring of ketamine's impact on synaptic density using 11C-UCB-J PET imaging in the corticosterone mouse model of anxiety/depression.
Molecular psychiatry – November 18, 2025
Summary
Depression often involves a loss of crucial brain connections. Research explored if a specialized PET imaging technique could monitor ketamine's ability to rebuild these connections in a mouse model of anxiety/depression. Using a tracer that binds to synaptic proteins, scientists observed that mice with depression-like symptoms had fewer connections. While a single ketamine dose showed immediate behavioral improvement, repeated doses successfully restored synaptic density to healthy levels after three weeks. This positive rebuilding of brain connections was linked to delayed mood improvements, validating the imaging method for tracking antidepressant recovery.
Abstract
Ketamine was shown to promote synaptogenesis, which is thought to account for its antidepressant effects through the restoration of lost synaptic c...
Association between S-ketamine induced changes in glutamate levels in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor in healthy subjects.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant potential is linked to unique brain changes. Researchers investigated if ketamine's influence on glutamate levels in the anterior cingulate cortex connects to brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, they observed that after ketamine administration, positive shifts in glutamate levels were associated with increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This strongly supports that ketamine's positive effects on brain health and potential in depression treatment are intricately tied to its glutamatergic action.
Abstract
Ketamine's antidepressant effects have been linked to its modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. However, the preci...
Ketamine and α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) Receptor Potentiation in the Somatosensory Cortex: A Comprehensive Review.
Cureus – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable effects on brain function go beyond its known anesthetic properties. New findings show it enhances sensory processing in the brain's touch-processing regions by boosting AMPA receptor activity. This dual action - blocking NMDA receptors while strengthening AMPA pathways - creates unique changes in synaptic plasticity, potentially explaining its rapid benefits in treating depression and sensory processing disorders.
Abstract
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic primarily recognized for its antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, has gained significant attent...
Therapeutic potential of ketamine in management of epilepsy: Clinical implications and mechanistic insights.
Asian journal of psychiatry – November 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used for anesthesia, shows promising results in controlling seizures when conventional treatments fail. The drug works by restoring balance between excitatory and inhibitory brain signals, making it particularly valuable for drug-resistant epilepsy. Studies reveal it can reduce seizure frequency and protect brain cells, offering hope for the 30% of epilepsy patients who don't respond to standard medications.
Abstract
Epilepsy, a widespread neurological disorder, affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. This disorder is typified by recurring seizures du...
Ketamine administration causes cognitive impairment by destroying the circulation function of the glymphatic system.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's impact on brain function goes beyond its known anesthetic effects. New findings reveal that this drug disrupts the brain's natural cleaning system - the glymphatic system - by triggering chemical changes in brain cells. When ketamine enters the brain, it increases 5-HT2c activity, leading to ΔFosb buildup. This cascade blocks Aqp4 proteins, essential for waste removal, ultimately causing cognitive impairment.
Abstract
Ketamine, as a non-competitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, was originally used in general anesthesia. Epidemiological data...
Ketamine induced synaptic plasticity operates independently of long-term potentiation.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – October 01, 2024
Summary
The rapid-acting antidepressant ketamine boosts brain connectivity without disrupting the brain's natural learning mechanisms. New research reveals ketamine strengthens neural connections through a unique pathway that works alongside, not against, the brain's normal memory-forming processes. Even in stress-exposed brains, ketamine enhances synaptic communication while preserving the neural circuits essential for learning and memory formation. This finding helps explain why ketamine can effectively treat depression without compromising cognitive function.
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity occurs via multiple mechanisms to regulate synaptic efficacy. Homeostatic and Hebbian plasticity are two such mechanisms by whi...
Meta-correlation of the effect of ketamine and psilocybin induced subjective effects on therapeutic outcome.
Npj mental health research – October 06, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic experiences during ketamine and psilocybin therapy may influence healing, but their importance varies. Analysis of 654 patients across multiple studies revealed that subjective effects during treatment explained about 5-10% of ketamine's therapeutic benefits and 24% of psilocybin's benefits. The healing impact was stronger for addiction treatment than depression, with psilocybin showing more connection between experience and outcome.
Abstract
There is some evidence that the subjective effects of ketamine and other psychedelics like psilocybin are crucial for their therapeutic outcomes, s...
Generative modelling of the thalamo-cortical circuit mechanisms underlying the neurophysiological effects of ketamine
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 05, 2020
Summary
Ketamine dramatically shifts brain activity. To understand how, a sophisticated computer model of brain circuits was developed. This model successfully replicated ketamine's effect on brain waves – boosting high-frequency activity while reducing low-frequency patterns. The key finding: ketamine primarily enhances specific neural connections involving chemicals like NMDA, AMPA, and GABA-A, rather than altering receptor response times. This offers powerful computational insight into how ketamine modifies brain function.
Abstract
Cortical recordings of task-induced oscillations following subanaesthetic ketamine administration demonstrate alterations in amplitude, including i...
Lateral Septal Circuits Govern Schizophrenia-Like Effects of Ketamine on Social Behavior
bioRxiv Preprint Server – August 08, 2023
Summary
Targeting a specific brain circuit can restore impaired social behavior. Using a model of schizophrenia-like symptoms, researchers found a brain region, the lateral septum (LS), was underactive. Activating these LS brain cells significantly improved social behavior. This suggests that precisely influencing these brain circuits could lead to new therapies for social challenges in conditions like schizophrenia, by coordinating social behavior through vital brain connections.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is marked by poor social functioning that can have a severe impact on quality of life and independence, but the underlying neural cir...
Ketamine's double-edged sword: Therapeutic benefits and adverse events in adolescent treatment-resistant OCD - A case series.
Indian journal of psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
For one-third of individuals, severe OCD resists standard treatments. A new investigation explored ketamine's potential, as it influences glutamate, a brain chemical linked to OCD. In a case series, four adolescents with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder received ketamine, an NMDA antagonist. Remarkably, three showed significant, lasting improvement. However, one experienced transient adverse effects, including psychosis. This suggests ketamine holds promise for adolescent treatment-resistant OCD, despite requiring careful consideration of risks.
Abstract
About one-third of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) cases show poor response to first-line treatments. Ketamine's role in modulating glutamate, ...
Whole-brain mapping reveals the divergent impact of ketamine on the dopamine system
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 12, 2023
Summary
Ketamine, a transformative fast-acting antidepressant, surprisingly affects brain dopamine systems differently depending on the brain region. Using detailed brain mapping, researchers found that repeated exposure can decrease dopamine neurons in midbrain areas linked to behavior, while *increasing* them in the hypothalamus. This reveals a complex, region-specific impact on brain pathways and connections, offering crucial insights into its therapeutic actions.
Abstract
Ketamine is a multifunctional drug with clinical applications as an anesthetic, as a pain management medication and as a transformative fast-acting...
Trends in ketamine use among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2017-2024.
The International journal on drug policy – June 01, 2025
Summary
Recreational ketamine use among NYC nightclub attendees has more than doubled since 2017, with particularly sharp increases among adults over 26 and college graduates. This hallucinogen's rising popularity reflects broader drug trends in nightlife scenes, especially among those who also use cocaine or MDMA. Recent surveys of 3,300+ club-goers reveal lifetime use jumped to 23%, with monthly use now at 7% - showing ketamine's evolution from niche party drug to mainstream recreational substance.
Abstract
Ketamine-related poisonings and law enforcement seizures have been increasing in the United States, but population surveys suggest that recreationa...
Different development patterns of reward behaviors induced by ketamine and JWH-018 in striatal GAD67 knockdown mice.
Journal of veterinary science – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's addictive effects may be influenced by specific brain chemicals. Scientists found that reducing GAD67, an enzyme that produces gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the brain's reward center made mice more susceptible to ketamine addiction but not to synthetic cannabis (JWH-018). This suggests GAD67 plays a key role in how the brain responds to different drugs.
Abstract
Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis enzyme associated with the function of other neurotransmitter ...
An Update on the Efficacy of Single and Serial Intravenous Ketamine Infusions and Esketamine for Bipolar Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Brain Sciences – December 22, 2023
Summary
Breakthrough findings reveal ketamine offers new hope for people with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Analysis of multiple studies shows this innovative therapy reduces depression symptoms by over 50% in many patients. Both single and multiple infusion approaches proved equally effective, with remission rates reaching 38%. This comprehensive review found ketamine to be safe, with minimal risk of mood switching.
Abstract
Ketamine has shown rapid antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with single and serial intravenous (IV) i...
The psychoactive effects of repeated ketamine infusions and their mechanistic role in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Addiction – February 16, 2026
Summary
Intravenous ketamine at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg significantly alters consciousness in individuals with alcohol use disorder. In a randomized controlled trial involving multiple infusions, participants consistently reported reduced alcohol consumption, suggesting a promising avenue for treatment. Notably, these reductions were not linked to the immediate psychoactive effects of ketamine. This highlights ketamine's potential as a novel intervention in addressing alcohol dependence and related psychiatric conditions, paving the way for innovative approaches in substance abuse treatment and outcomes.
Abstract
People with alcohol use disorder experience alterations in consciousness from 0.8 mg/kg intravenous ketamine administration. Ketamine's effects app...
Effect of Ketamine on Reward Processing in Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies
CNS Spectrums – March 10, 2026
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in rapidly reconfiguring reward circuitry in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). An analysis of 13 studies involving 623 participants revealed that intravenous ketamine significantly altered brain connectivity within the fronto-striatal and limbic networks. Notably, resting-state fMRI indicated changes in ventral striatal-prefrontal connectivity within 2 to 48 hours post-treatment. Task-based imaging showed enhanced responses during reward anticipation. These findings suggest ketamine's potential to address anhedonia and other depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for further exploration of its mechanisms and long-term effects.
Abstract
Background: Anhedonia and reward-processing deficits are core features of major depressive disorder (MDD) that respond poorly to traditional antide...
Can ketamine and other glutamate receptor modulators be considered entactogens?
Psychiatry research – July 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows promising effects on social connection and empathy. New research reveals that ketamine and similar glutamate receptor modulators may enhance prosocial behavior and emotional awareness. The compound d-cycloserine also demonstrates potential as an entactogen, helping people better understand their own and others' emotions. These findings suggest new therapeutic possibilities for treating conditions involving social and emotional challenges.
Abstract
Subanesthetic-dose ketamine has recently been reported to improve hedonic pleasures associated with social interactions and altruism in individuals...
Perioperative Ketamine and Cancer Recurrence: A Comprehensive Review.
Journal of clinical medicine – March 26, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, commonly used in anesthesia, shows promising potential in reducing cancer recurrence after surgery. The drug's unique properties fight cancer cells while supporting immune function and reducing inflammation. Studies reveal that ketamine influences crucial biomarkers and gut microbiota, potentially improving postoperative outcomes. This dual action - targeting cancer cells directly and boosting the body's natural defenses - makes it a valuable tool in cancer treatment.
Abstract
Cancer is a significant global health threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. Effective early-stage interventions, particularly surgery, can...
Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Focus on its Pharmacology, Phenomenology, and Clinical Applications
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – July 01, 2014
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful dissociative medicine, is transforming psychiatry's approach to major depression. Its unique pharmacology offers potent anxiolytic and analgesic effects by influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists are exploring its use in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, particularly Ketamine Psychedelic Psychotherapy (KPP). An extensive review of literature details KPP's clinical applications, exploring the phenomenology of transpersonal experiences to guide treatment, drawing on Psychology and Neuroscience. It also highlights potential risks, underscoring its role in modern medicine.
Abstract
Meant to be an authoritative guide for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP), ...
Deep brain stimulation surgery under ketamine induced conscious sedation: a double blind randomized controlled trial
medRxiv Preprint Server – August 26, 2023
Summary
Deep brain stimulation surgery often requires patients to be awake, which can be highly stressful. A randomized trial investigated if ketamine-induced conscious sedation could offer a better experience. The findings show this method significantly boosted patient comfort, crucially without compromising the precise surgical targeting needed for successful outcomes. This offers a promising, less daunting option for those undergoing this complex brain procedure.
Abstract
Background The gold standard anesthesia for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is the “awake” approach, using local anesthesia alone. While it of...
The effect of perioperative ketamine and esketamine administration on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Korean journal of anesthesiology – May 08, 2025
Summary
Patients undergoing general anesthesia often struggle with post-surgery nausea, affecting recovery and comfort. New research reveals that ketamine and esketamine, while helpful in reducing nausea compared to opioid painkillers, may not be the best overall solution. Analysis of 6,600+ patients showed these medications actually increased nausea when compared to non-opioid options, and doubled the risk of hallucinations and drowsiness.
Abstract
The effects of perioperative ketamine and esketamine on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify their ...
The Effect of Preprocedural Low-Dose Ketamine for Pain and Anxiety in Patients during Thoracic Epidural Catheterization.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – April 22, 2024
Summary
A small dose of ketamine before spinal pain treatments proves remarkably effective at reducing both pain and anxiety. Patients receiving low-dose ketamine reported significantly less discomfort during thoracic epidural catheterization, with anxiety scores dropping by 10.6mm. They were also more likely to agree to future procedures, suggesting improved patient experience without negative side effects.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Thoracic epidural catheterization (TEC) can be both uncomfortable and fearful for patients when performed awake with the...
Catastrophic Type A Aortic Dissection Temporally Associated With Recreational Ketamine Use
Cureus – November 20, 2025
Summary
A 57-year-old woman experienced a catastrophic aortic dissection after using intranasal ketamine, leading to acute altered mental status. Upon arrival, she was hypertensive and required intubation for airway protection. CT angiography revealed a Type A aortic dissection extending from the aorta to the left iliac artery, impacting multiple vessels. Despite conservative management and surgery, she suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure and did not survive. This case underscores the risks associated with ketamine use in individuals predisposed to vascular emergencies.
Abstract
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening vascular emergency, typically associated with hypertension, connective tissue disease, or stimulant drug us...
Baseline perceived stress as a predictor of ketamine/esketamine treatment response in treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of affective disorders – August 15, 2025
Summary
High stress levels may significantly impact how well ketamine works for depression treatment. New findings reveal that patients with elevated stress needed triple the number of ketamine treatments to achieve relief from mood disorders compared to less-stressed individuals. Each 5-point increase in stress scores reduced chances of recovery by 60%. This suggests managing stress alongside ketamine therapy could be key to better outcomes.
Abstract
Chronic stress is a risk factor for depression and may contribute to treatment resistance. This historical cohort study examined the association be...
Predicting non-response to ketamine for depression: An exploratory symptom-level analysis of real-world data among military veterans.
Psychiatry research – May 01, 2024
Summary
Military veterans with treatment-resistant depression showed distinct symptom patterns when receiving ketamine therapy, with mood improvements occurring faster than energy level changes. Using predictive modeling of symptom trajectories, doctors can now identify with 96% accuracy which patients are unlikely to benefit from ketamine or esketamine treatment. This breakthrough helps clinicians make more informed decisions, potentially saving patients from unsuccessful treatment attempts while directing them to more suitable options.
Abstract
Ketamine helps some patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), but reliable methods for predicting which patients will, or will not, respo...
Effect of ketamine on anxiety: findings from the Ketamine for Adult Depression Study.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science – January 07, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking clinical trial reveals ketamine's dual benefit in treating both anxiety and depression. In this controlled study, patients receiving flexible-dose ketamine showed significant anxiety reduction compared to those given a control medication. The twice-weekly treatments over 4 weeks proved most effective when doctors could adjust dosing to each patient's needs. Results showed meaningful improvements in mental health symptoms, particularly when higher doses were used, highlighting ketamine's potential as a powerful tool for treating complex mood disorders.
Abstract
Anxiety disorders and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) are often comorbid. Studies suggest ketamine has anxiolytic and antidepre...