1705 results for "Ketamine"
Combined ketamine and psychotherapy provide no additional benefit beyond ketamine alone in treating depression or PTSD: Evidence from a help-seeking sample.
Journal of affective disorders – July 15, 2025
Summary
Ketamine treatment shows remarkable success in reducing symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress, with new research revealing that adding psychotherapy doesn't significantly enhance outcomes. When administered alone, ketamine produced rapid symptom improvements in over 600 patients across multiple treatment sessions. Both standalone ketamine and combined therapy approaches yielded similar positive results, suggesting the medication's effectiveness doesn't require additional therapeutic support.
Abstract
Depression and PTSD are prevalent psychiatric conditions that often co-occur and significantly impact quality of life. Ketamine has emerged as a pr...
Ketamine's mechanism of action with an emphasis on neuroimmune regulation: can the complement system complement ketamine's antidepressant effects?
Molecular psychiatry – September 01, 2024
Summary
The rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine - working within hours instead of weeks - mark a breakthrough in treating severe depression. New research reveals ketamine's effectiveness may be linked to its unique ability to regulate both brain inflammation and immune system responses. By modulating specific immune components called the complement system, ketamine helps restore healthy brain cell communication and reduces inflammation associated with depression. This dual action explains why it can provide relief when traditional antidepressants fail.
Abstract
Over 300 million people worldwide suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD). Unfortunately, only 30-40% of patients with MDD achieve complete rem...
Modulation of ER Stress and Inflammation by S-Ketamine, R-Ketamine, and Their Metabolites in Human Microglial Cells: Insights into Novel Targets for Depression Therapy.
Cells – June 03, 2025
Summary
Recent breakthroughs show ketamine and its variants can fight depression by reducing cellular stress and inflammation in brain immune cells. Both forms of ketamine and their metabolites decrease key stress proteins (CHOP and GRP78) while lowering inflammatory signals. This suggests new ways to treat resistant depression with fewer side effects than current antidepressants.
Abstract
Despite affecting millions worldwide, major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a therapeutic challenge, with approximately one-third of patients fai...
Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic.
The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa – January 01, 2024
Summary
Intravenous ketamine offers new hope for people with major depression, showing remarkable success in a South African clinic. Among 154 patients receiving ketamine infusions alongside their usual treatments, over 60% experienced significant improvement after completing the initial induction series. Half of the patients reported complete relief from suicidal thoughts, while one-third achieved full remission. Many continued with maintenance doses, showing no signs of dependency. Side effects were minimal, mainly limited to manageable nausea.
Abstract
There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intraven...
Combining Ketamine Infusions and Written Exposure Therapy for Chronic PTSD: An Open-Label Trial.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – April 02, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment combining ketamine infusions with exposure therapy shows remarkable promise for severe PTSD patients. In this innovative approach, patients received six ketamine treatments over two weeks, alongside five therapy sessions. The results were impressive: 69% of participants showed major improvement, with symptoms reduced by half on average. Most importantly, these benefits lasted up to six months, offering new hope for those struggling with chronic PTSD.
Abstract
Objective: This open-label clinical trial examined the preliminary efficacy of combining a course of 6 ketamine infusions with a brief, evidence-ba...
Use of Ketamine in Patients with Multifactorial Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – September 03, 2024
Summary
Chronic nerve pain affects millions, prompting researchers to explore ketamine as a potential solution. While this drug shows promise in other areas of pain management, low-dose ketamine treatments didn't significantly reduce neuropathic pain compared to placebos. Analysis of multiple clinical trials revealed minimal improvements in pain scores and daily function, challenging previous assumptions about ketamine's effectiveness for nerve-related pain conditions.
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by the experience of a number of sensory disturbances including pain, bu...
The Ketamine Trial for Acute Suicidality (KETA): Study Protocol of a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Superiority Trial on Intranasal Racemic Ketamine Compared to the Active Placebo Intranasal Midazolam as Treatment for Acute Suicidality.
International journal of methods in psychiatric research – December 01, 2025
Summary
Rapid intervention for acute suicidality is a crucial medical need. A new randomized controlled trial is investigating if ketamine can provide this swift relief. The study aims to determine if a single intranasal dose of ketamine (75mg) significantly lowers suicidal ideation within 180 minutes, compared to an active placebo. This randomized controlled trial involves 100 participants facing acute suicidality, seeking to establish ketamine's efficacy as a rapid, positive intervention.
Abstract
Suicidality is a transdiagnostic entity in patients with and without psychiatric disorders. Ketamine is a novel treatment for treatment-resistant d...
Widespread Cortical Thickness Reductions Following Non-medical Use of Ketamine: a Structural MRI Study of Individuals with Ketamine Dependence
medRxiv Preprint Server – February 21, 2021
Summary
Non-medical ketamine use is linked to specific brain changes, prompting a look at its impact on brain thickness. Researchers hypothesized long-term use might alter cortical thickness. Using precise MRI scans, clear evidence emerged: individuals with ketamine dependence showed widespread reductions in brain cortical thickness. This robustly confirms the significant impact of non-medical ketamine on brain health.
Abstract
Background A version of ketamine, called Esketamine has been approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine (“K powder”), a “dissociat...
Safety outcomes of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression in clinical settings and development of the ketamine side effect tool-revised (KSET-R).
Psychiatry research – February 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine offers new hope for people with treatment-resistant depression, with 70% of patients showing improvement. This research tracked side-effects and tolerability in real-world clinics, developing a streamlined tool to monitor patient safety. The revised assessment helps doctors better manage adverse events while maintaining ketamine's effectiveness as a depression treatment.
Abstract
Ketamine and its derivates (e.g. esketamine) are increasingly used in clinical settings for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine can give...
Compare the Efficacy of Bolus Low Dose Ketamine Versus Bolus plus Infusion Low Dose Ketamine on Pain Management in Emergency Department: A randomized clinical trial.
Clinical and experimental emergency medicine – January 14, 2025
Summary
In emergency departments, ketamine offers powerful pain relief for traumatic injuries. New research shows two delivery methods - a single quick dose (bolus) versus a combined approach of initial dose plus continuous infusion - both effectively manage acute pain. The infusion method showed promising results with slightly lower pain scores and fewer requests for additional medication, though both approaches maintained similar safety profiles.
Abstract
Ketamine is a promising drug for analgesia in emergency medicine, but a high rate of side effects is a barrier to whispered usage. We hypothesized ...
Comparison of Nebulized Ketamine to Intravenous Subdissociative Dose Ketamine for Treating Acute Painful Conditions in the Emergency Department: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy Controlled Trial.
Annals of emergency medicine – October 01, 2024
Summary
New pain relief option proves as effective as traditional IV treatment! A breakthrough study shows nebulized ketamine (inhaled through a special device) works just as well as intravenous ketamine for managing severe pain in emergency settings. Among 150 patients with high pain levels, both methods reduced pain scores significantly - from 8.2 to around 3.7 - within 30 minutes. The inhaled version offers a gentler alternative to IV treatment, with no serious side effects reported in either group.
Abstract
We aimed to assess and compare the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of intravenous subdissociative-dose ketamine to nebulized ketamine in eme...
Efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of repeated subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment-resistant depression (KADS study): commentary, Joks et al.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science – November 01, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough findings show ketamine injections could offer new hope for people with severe depression who haven't responded to traditional treatments. Weekly subcutaneous doses significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder, working faster than conventional medications. While esketamine nasal sprays are already approved, this injection method shows promise as an alternative delivery system.
Abstract
Regarding the article, 'Efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of repeated subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment-resistant depression (KAD...
Is ketamine safe for individuals in higher level of care treatment for eating disorders? Analysis of safety of subanesthetic ketamine in 104 patients.
Journal of psychiatric research – August 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safe antidepressive agent for people battling both eating disorders and severe depression. In a groundbreaking analysis of 104 patients receiving intensive care for feeding and eating disorders, medical monitoring revealed that ketamine treatments remained safe even when patients faced challenges with malnutrition. This offers hope for those struggling with complex mood disorders who haven't responded to traditional therapies.
Abstract
Eating disorders are among the most challenging and fatal mental illnesses and, due to the complication of medical instability caused by malnutriti...
Ketamine Use for Palliative Care in the Austere Environment: Is Ketamine the Path Forward for Palliative Care.
The American journal of hospice & palliative care – March 01, 2025
Summary
In combat zones and remote environments, managing severe pain and providing comfort to critically wounded patients presents unique challenges. Ketamine emerges as a promising solution for palliative care in austere conditions, offering effective pain management without compromising respiratory function. The medication proves superior to traditional opioids, delivering better pain control while maintaining stable vital signs. Its dual benefit of providing both sedation and pain relief makes it particularly valuable for managing acute suffering in situations where advanced medical facilities are inaccessible. This approach transforms combat care by enabling medical teams to deliver compassionate end-of-life support even in the most challenging settings.
Abstract
The goal of palliative care is to focus on the holistic needs of the patient and their family versus the pathology of the patient's diagnosis to re...
Case report: Maintaining altered states of consciousness over repeated ketamine infusions may be key to facilitate long-lasting antidepressant effects: some initial lessons from a personalized-dosing single-case study.
Front Psychiatry – October 25, 2023
Summary
Could the unique mental state experienced during ketamine infusions be key to lasting depression relief? A recent personalized single-case study explored this. It found that maintaining an altered state of consciousness over repeated treatments was associated with remarkably long-lasting antidepressant effects for one patient, offering a promising insight into optimizing future therapies.
Abstract
Case report: Maintaining altered states of consciousness over repeated ketamine infusions may be key to facilitate long-lasting antidepressant effe...
Oral prolonged-release ketamine in treatment-resistant depression - A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicentre trial of KET01, a novel ketamine formulation - Clinical and safety results.
Journal of psychiatric research – May 01, 2024
Summary
A novel oral form of ketamine shows promise for hard-to-treat depression, with patients taking 240mg daily showing notable mood improvements after two weeks. This controlled trial tested a slow-release ketamine formulation as an add-on therapy, finding it both safe and well-tolerated. While COVID-19 interrupted the full study, early results revealed improved depression scores without serious side effects or risks typically associated with ketamine treatment.
Abstract
We investigated the antidepressant effects of a novel oral prolonged-release formulation of racemic ketamine (KET01) in patients suffering from tre...
Psychedelics and ketamine/esketamine in depressive disorders: biological mechanisms and associated neuroimaging and clinical changes.
Transl Psychiatry – October 31, 2025
Summary
Emerging research reveals how psychedelics and ketamine rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms. Scientists are unraveling the brain changes behind these powerful effects, with a comprehensive review synthesizing findings on their biological impacts and observable brain alterations. It highlights how these compounds promote neural plasticity and connectivity, leading to significant improvements in mood and outlook. These insights underscore their potential as innovative, effective therapies for those struggling with depression.
Abstract
Psychedelics and ketamine/esketamine in depressive disorders: biological mechanisms and associated neuroimaging and clinical changes.
Analysis of the mechanism by which ketamine affects astrocytes in Parkinsonian rats through the PI3K/AKT axis.
Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France) – May 27, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating Parkinson's by targeting brain cells called astrocytes. The drug improved movement and reduced brain inflammation in affected rats by regulating a key cellular pathway. Tests revealed better balance, increased activity, and reduced toxic protein buildup in treated animals. This breakthrough suggests ketamine could help manage Parkinson's symptoms through its effects on brain cell function.
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) remains the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, seriously affecting the normal life of patients. Currently, t...
Efficacy of ketamine versus esketamine in the treatment of perioperative depression: A review.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – September 01, 2024
Summary
Cardiac surgery patients face a startling 40% risk of perioperative depression, but breakthrough treatments offer hope. The rapid-acting medications ketamine and its refined version esketamine are transforming depression care in anesthesiology. While traditional antidepressants take weeks to work, these medications can provide relief within hours by targeting brain glutamate systems. Studies show both options effectively reduce depression symptoms, with esketamine offering fewer side effects.
Abstract
Depression is a significant factor contributing to postoperative occurrences, and patients diagnosed with depression have a higher risk for postope...
Ketamine, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy: Reframing, Redefining, Renaming Treatment Models.
Can J Psychiatry – October 28, 2025
Summary
Integrating ketamine and psychedelics with psychotherapy unlocks profound new avenues for mental health treatment. This analysis argues existing terminology fails to capture these innovative approaches. Reviewing current understanding, it proposes reframing and redefining how we conceptualize these unique treatment models. The findings emphasize new language is vital to fully grasp the therapeutic potential and synergistic benefits. Adopting fresh conceptual models promises to significantly enhance patient care and advance this exciting field.
Abstract
Ketamine, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy: Reframing, Redefining, Renaming Treatment Models.
Comparison of vatinoxan-medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol and medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol combinations for intramuscular anesthesia in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Research in veterinary science – July 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in rabbit anesthesia shows how combining the drug vatinoxan with traditional sedatives can significantly impact cardiovascular function. This research compared two anesthetic combinations, testing how vatinoxan affects heart rate and blood pressure during sedation. While the new mixture maintained higher heart rates, it caused more pronounced hypotension than standard medetomidine-based protocols. Recovery times remained similar between methods.
Abstract
Rabbit perianesthetic morbidity and mortality are high due to unique physiologic and anatomic considerations. α2-adrenergic agonists are frequently...
Choosing Between Ketamine and Electroconvulsive Therapy for Outpatients With Treatment-Resistant Depression—Advantage Ketamine?
JAMA Psychiatry – December 01, 2023
Summary
Crucial considerations are emerging when comparing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine for severe, treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Recent reports examined reveal ECT typically achieves remission in 60-70% of patients across thousands, while ketamine demonstrates efficacy in 40-50% for hundreds. These analyses critically assess varying effect sizes and patient responses, clarifying the complex landscape of evidence. The aim is to understand their respective roles in improving depressive symptoms for individuals unresponsive to other treatments.
Abstract
This Viewpoint examines key issues stemming from several recent reports of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs ketamine for improving depressive sym...
Screening and confirmation of psilocin, mitragynine, phencyclidine, ketamine and ketamine metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Journal of analytical toxicology – March 01, 2024
Summary
New drug testing methods can now detect previously hard-to-trace substances in both blood and urine with remarkable precision. Using advanced automation and specialized extraction techniques, scientists developed a highly accurate screening process that identifies substances like ketamine and its metabolites at tiny concentrations - as low as 1 part per billion. This breakthrough enables faster, more reliable workplace drug testing using smaller sample volumes.
Abstract
A safe and productive workplace requires a sober workforce, free from substances that impair judgment and concentration. Although drug monitoring p...
Effectiveness of ketamine/esketamine in alleviating postoperative fatigue: a systematic review
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy – November 12, 2025
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine show promise in reducing postoperative fatigue (POF) after major abdominal surgeries, with a notable effect observed across various studies. However, the findings are limited by diverse study designs and fatigue assessment methods. In some trials, sample sizes were as low as 30 participants, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions. To solidify these insights and determine optimal dosing regimens, larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials in intensive care and emergency medicine settings are essential for effective nausea and vomiting management.
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that ketamine/esketamine may be effective in alleviating POF, particularly in major abdominal surgeries. These findings s...
Corrigendum: Depression with comorbid borderline personality disorder - could ketamine be a treatment catalyst?
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Patients with both depression and borderline personality disorder often struggle to find effective treatments. Recent evidence suggests ketamine and its variant esketamine may offer rapid relief, particularly for those with treatment-resistant depression. When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted treatment shows promise in addressing both mood symptoms and personality disorder traits, potentially offering a breakthrough for this challenging combination of conditions.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1398859.].
B-305 High Specificity Homogeneous Enzyme Immunoassay for Ketamine
Clinical Chemistry – October 01, 2025
Summary
The ARK Ketamine II Assay offers a reliable method for detecting ketamine in human urine, achieving 100% sensitivity and specificity at cutoffs of 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL. Evaluated on 223 urine samples, it demonstrated precise performance with less than 8.2% variability in semi-quantitative mode. Recovery rates for spiked ketamine samples ranged from 103.7% to 106.1%. Notably, cross-reactivity with nor-ketamine was 45% and 47% at respective cutoffs, while methoxetamine showed minimal interference at less than 0.3%.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ketamine is a synthetic, nonbarbiturate and rapid-acting dissociative anesthetic that is indicated for use in both human and ve...
Ketamine Prevents Inflammation-Induced Reduction of Human Hippocampal Neurogenesis via Inhibiting the Production of Neurotoxic Metabolites of the Kynurenine Pathway.
The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology – October 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in protecting brain cell growth from inflammation's harmful effects. New research reveals how this drug prevents inflammatory proteins (cytokines) from disrupting hippocampal neurogenesis - the brain's ability to create new neurons. By blocking toxic metabolites in the kynurenine pathway, ketamine helps prevent cell death (apoptosis) and maintains healthy brain cell production.
Abstract
Understanding the precise mechanisms of ketamine is crucial for replicating its rapid antidepressant effects without inducing psychomimetic changes...
Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Sustain Antidepressant Effects of Intravenous Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics – January 01, 2017
Summary
Combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with ketamine may extend its antidepressant benefits for treatment-resistant depression. In an open-label trial with 16 participants, 50% responded to ketamine, and 43.8% achieved remission. Among those who responded, only 25% relapsed by the end of the 10-week CBT course, eight weeks after their last ketamine dose. This suggests CBT could help maintain improvements, with a median relapse time of 12 weeks for responders.
Abstract
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Ketamine has shown rapid though short-lived antidepressant effects. The possibility of concerni...
Molecular mechanisms of the rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant actions of (R)-ketamine.
Biochemical pharmacology – July 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Ketamine, an anesthetic developed in the early 1960s, is also a popular abused drug among young people at dance parties and raves and among spiritu...
Pharmacokinetics of combinations of dexmedetomidine, vatinoxan and ketamine in male neutered cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia – January 01, 2025
Summary
Veterinary medicine takes a leap forward in understanding how common sedative medications interact in cats. When combined, dexmedetomidine and ketamine work differently with vatinoxan, a drug that helps reduce side effects. The research tracked how these medications moved through cats' bodies, finding that vatinoxan increases the body's processing of dexmedetomidine while affecting how well ketamine is absorbed. This knowledge helps veterinarians provide safer sedation.
Abstract
To characterize the pharmacokinetics of combinations of dexmedetomidine, vatinoxan and ketamine in cats. Partially randomized, crossover, experimen...
Ketamine use in a large global sample: Characteristics, patterns of use and emergency medical treatment.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite rising ketamine popularity, remarkably few users require emergency medical treatment. A global drug survey investigated ketamine use patterns, identifying risk factors and experiences. From over 130,000 responses, past-year ketamine use was common, yet adverse events needing emergency medical treatment were exceedingly rare (under 0.1%). Younger age, student status, and concurrent substance use emerged as key risk factors. This highlights the complex interplay of ketamine and other substance use, suggesting tailored harm reduction strategies are beneficial, despite low severe incident rates.
Abstract
Ketamine's popularity has surged globally in the past decade, especially among young men. Emergency department visits due to its toxicity remain re...
Ketamine metabolism via hepatic CYP450 isoforms contributes to its sustained antidepressant actions
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 03, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's lasting antidepressant effects are surprisingly linked to its liver-processed byproducts. When mice were given a drug that blocked the production of these byproducts, specifically (6)-HNKs, ketamine's sustained mood-lifting benefits disappeared. However, directly providing (6)-HNKs rescued these positive outcomes, confirming their vital role in maintaining ketamine's powerful and enduring antidepressant action.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) has rapid and sustained antidepressant (AD) efficacy at sub-anesthetic doses in depressed patients. A metabolite of ketam...
Outpatient Ketamine Prescribing Practices in Psychiatry in the United States: A Nationwide Survey Study.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – May 26, 2025
Summary
As ketamine emerges as a promising mental health treatment, new data reveals that all surveyed clinics use it for treatment-resistant depression, with 72% even prescribing it to first-time patients. While most clinics offer long-term maintenance treatment, fewer than 30% are run by psychiatric physicians. Over 40% provide at-home options, highlighting both the treatment's growing accessibility and the need for standardized practices.
Abstract
Background: Ketamine is an increasingly popular tool for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Initially available in controlled studies at acade...
Widespread reductions in cortical thickness following ketamine abuse.
Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN – January 01, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine misuse significantly alters brain structure, with heavy users showing widespread thinning in crucial brain regions. Analysis of brain scans from 95 ketamine users revealed substantial cortical thinning, particularly in areas controlling decision-making and self-awareness. Higher lifetime ketamine use directly correlated with more severe thinning, highlighting the dose-dependent impact on brain health.
Abstract
Esketamine is a version of ketamine that has been approved for treatment-resistant depression, but our previous studies showed a link between non-m...
The role of mGluR5 on the therapeutic effects of ketamine in Wistar rats.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2024
Summary
New research reveals that blocking specific brain receptors can enhance ketamine's antidepressant effects. Scientists found that suppressing mGluR5 receptors amplified ketamine's ability to reduce behavioral despair in rats, while surprisingly eliminating its anxiety-reducing properties. Tests using mazes and swim assessments showed that combining low-dose ketamine with receptor blockers created stronger antidepressant effects than either treatment alone.
Abstract
Ketamine produces dissociative, psychomimetic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anesthetic effects in a dose dependent manner. It has a complex mech...
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Low dose oral ketamine treatment on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (OKTOP): An open-label pilot study
medRxiv Preprint Server – November 26, 2024
Summary
Oral ketamine shows promising potential for PTSD relief. A pilot investigation explored low-dose oral ketamine's safety and feasibility for symptom reduction. Participants took weekly oral doses for six weeks, leading to a dramatic improvement in PTSD symptoms, with average scores plummeting from 40 to 17. Notably, 73% experienced a 50% or greater symptom reduction, highlighting oral ketamine as a highly feasible and tolerable treatment, comparable to IV options.
Abstract
Ketamine is being actively investigated as a rapid-acting treatment for many conditions with a stress-related psychopathology, including post-traum...
Ketamine Infusion as an Adjunct to Opioid Analgesia in Pediatric Patients with High-Risk Neuroblastoma Undergoing Treatment with Dinutuximab: Adverse Effects and Safety in a Non-ICU Setting.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safe pain management option for children battling high-risk neuroblastoma. When combined with traditional opioids, ketamine helps control severe neuropathic pain during dinutuximab treatment. A review of 40 pediatric patients found that this combination therapy was both safe and effective outside intensive care settings, offering new hope for managing complex cancer pain with fewer complications.
Abstract
Anti-GD2 immunotherapy has improved outcomes for children with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNBL). Dinutuximab promotes complement-mediated reaction a...
Association Between Low-Dose Ketamine After Periacetabular and/or Femoral Osteotomy and Postoperative Opioid Requirements.
Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine – August 01, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine shows promise in reducing opioid use after complex hip surgeries. Patients receiving ketamine alongside standard pain medication used 34% less opioids (measured in morphine milligram equivalents) while maintaining similar pain control levels. This finding offers a practical solution for managing postoperative pain while decreasing reliance on potentially addictive opioid medications.
Abstract
Previous studies have sought to determine the effect of inpatient ketamine therapy on postoperative pain in a variety of surgical specialties. To d...
Ketamine metabolism via hepatic CYP450 isoforms contributes to its sustained antidepressant actions.
Neuropharmacology – November 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking discovery shows that ketamine's long-lasting antidepressant effects depend on how the liver processes it. When researchers blocked certain liver enzymes with fluconazole, ketamine's mood-lifting benefits disappeared. The key lies in hydroxynorketamine, a compound created when the body breaks down ketamine. This metabolite increases GABA levels in brain regions controlling mood, suggesting that ketamine's transformation in the body is crucial for its antidepressant properties.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) has rapid and sustained antidepressant (AD) efficacy at sub-anesthetic doses in depressed patients. A metabolite of ketam...
"This Is Something That Changed My Life": A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences in a Clinical Trial of Ketamine Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Background: The therapeutic benefits of ketamine have been demonstrated for a variety of psychiatric disorders. However, the role of ketamine induc...
Ketamine as part of multi-modal analgesia may reduce opioid requirements following cardiac surgery: a retrospective observational cohort study.
Journal of cardiothoracic surgery – April 03, 2025
Summary
Adding ketamine to pain management after heart surgery can reduce opioid use by nearly 30mg during recovery. This multimodal analgesia approach combines ketamine with standard pain medications, showing promising opioid-sparing effects. Patients receiving ketamine needed significantly fewer pain pills at discharge, with no increase in side effects or complications. This suggests a safer approach to postoperative pain management.
Abstract
Postoperative pain control in cardiac surgery is often managed with opioid medications. Insufficient analgesia can result in complications includin...
Ketamine's impact on mood after day-case surgery and its relation to obesity: a randomised controlled trial in women undergoing fractional curettage.
BMC women's health – July 30, 2025
Summary
A randomised controlled trial involving women undergoing fractional curettage for day-case surgery revealed a surprising finding: while a single dose of Ketamine alongside Propofol and Fentanyl didn't universally elevate total mood scores measured by the POMS questionnaire, it significantly improved emotional recovery specifically for obese women. This suggests Ketamine's mood-boosting effects may be positively linked to obesity in this context.
Abstract
Several studies have shown that ketamine has an effect on mood and depression in the perioperative context; however, little is known about ketamine...
Case report: Adult with bipolar disorder and autism treated with ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment combining ketamine and psychotherapy showed remarkable results for a 29-year-old man struggling with both bipolar disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. After six ketamine infusions over one month, plus two boosters, the patient experienced significant improvements in mood stability, reduced anxiety, and fewer anger outbursts. This success suggests ketamine assisted psychotherapy could offer new hope for people with complex mental health conditions.
Abstract
Evidence has increased in recent years regarding the potential for ketamine to serve as a novel treatment option for a range of conditions, particu...
A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of ketamine in Rett syndrome.
Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders – January 24, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking clinical trial explored ketamine as a potential treatment for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Low-dose oral ketamine was tested in young girls through a carefully controlled study. While electroencephalography showed the medication reached its intended brain targets, and proved remarkably safe for patients, five days of treatment didn't yield significant symptom improvements.
Abstract
Preclinical studies and anecdotal case reports support the potential therapeutic benefit of low-dose oral ketamine as a treatment of clinical sympt...
A randomised, open-label, pragmatic pilot comparison of oral and intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression.
Asian journal of psychiatry – September 01, 2024
Summary
Oral ketamine shows promise as a more convenient alternative to intravenous treatment for severe depression. In a groundbreaking comparison, patients receiving oral ketamine were more likely to complete their treatment course and reported fewer side effects than those receiving IV doses. Both methods showed similar effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, with oral administration causing less drowsiness and fewer headaches.
Abstract
For depression, ketamine is more conveniently administered by oral than by intravenous (iv) routes. The relative antidepressant efficacy of oral vs...
Evaluation of the Use of Ketamine in Prehospital Seizure Management: A Retrospective Review of the ESO Database.
Prehospital emergency care – July 31, 2024
Summary
Ketamine use in emergency seizure treatment has increased 62% from 2018 to 2021, offering new hope when traditional medications fail. Analysis of nearly 100,000 emergency calls revealed that paramedics increasingly turn to ketamine, both alone and with other drugs, particularly when standard treatments don't stop seizures. The medication proved especially valuable in urban areas and showed promise in treating adults who don't respond to conventional therapies.
Abstract
Benzodiazepines are the primary antiseizure medication used by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for seizures. Available literature in the United St...
Ketamine reduces seizure and interictal continuum activity in refractory status epilepticus: a multicenter in-person and teleneurocritical care study.
Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology – November 01, 2024
Summary
When traditional anticonvulsants fail to control severe seizures, ketamine offers new hope. In a breakthrough finding, this powerful medication reduced seizure activity by 50% or more in 84% of patients with hard-to-treat epilepsy. Doctors monitored brain activity through electroencephalography while treating patients both in-person and via telemedicine, proving ketamine's effectiveness in neurocritical care settings regardless of delivery method.
Abstract
There is not a preferred medication for treating refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and intravenous ketamine is increasingly used. Ketamine effica...
Effects of Chronic Social Isolation Stress and Alcohol on the Reinforcing Properties of Ketamine in Male and Female Rats.
eNeuro – March 01, 2025
Summary
Social isolation and alcohol use can significantly alter how ketamine affects the brain, with notable differences between males and females. Research reveals that female subjects consumed more ketamine than males, while prior alcohol exposure increased ketamine intake specifically in females. In males, both isolation and alcohol independently led to higher ketamine use. These behavioral changes were matched by physical alterations in brain cell connections (spines) within the nucleus accumbens, a key reward center. The findings highlight important sex-specific interactions between stress, alcohol, and ketamine response.
Abstract
While ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is effective in treating major depression, studies have not addressed the safety of repeated ketamine ...
Ketamine's rapid and sustained antidepressant effects are driven by distinct mechanisms.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS – February 27, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's powerful antidepressant effects work through two distinct biological pathways in the brain. The drug's immediate mood-lifting impact comes from activating young neurons in the hippocampus. However, its longer-lasting benefits stem from stimulating the growth of new brain cells by reducing BMP signals that normally inhibit adult neurogenesis. This dual-mechanism discovery explains why multiple doses create more enduring antidepressant effects.
Abstract
Administration of multiple subanesthetic doses of ketamine increases the duration of antidepressant effects relative to a single ketamine dose, but...
A time-sensitive plasticity distinguishes the rapid and sustained synaptic actions of ketamine from its (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine metabolite.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – February 03, 2026
Summary
A surprising finding reveals that ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects don't come from the drug itself, but its metabolite, 2R6R. This metabolite swiftly induces lasting beneficial brain changes in hippocampal cells from both male and female mice. These crucial adaptations rely on a precise sequence of molecular events. Initial rapid effects and sustained brain "priming" require mTOR signaling. Later, other pathways involving IP3R, BDNF/TrkB, and L-type Ca2+ channels become essential for maintaining these therapeutic changes. This clarifies pathways for developing new rapid-acting antidepressants.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-relevant neuroplastogenic effects in vivo. The metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorke...
Psychedelic Effects of Ketamine in Healthy Volunteers
Anesthesiology – January 01, 1998
Summary
Even low doses of ketamine can reliably induce profound psychedelic experiences in healthy individuals. Researchers precisely controlled ketamine levels in volunteers' blood, from 50 to 200 ng/ml. They discovered a remarkably direct, linear relationship: as ketamine concentrations rose, so did the intensity of perceptual and subjective effects. These effects, carefully measured, were strikingly similar to those from other potent psychedelic compounds. This work powerfully demonstrates how specific ketamine levels produce predictable and profound alterations in perception.
Abstract
Background Ketamine has been associated with a unique spectrum of subjective "psychedelic" effects in patients emerging from anesthesia. This study...
High-Frequency Analysis of the Cerebral Physiological Impact of Ketamine in Acute Traumatic Neural Injury.
Neurotrauma reports – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safer sedation option for acute brain injuries, offering unique advantages over traditional treatments. New high-frequency monitoring reveals that this medication doesn't increase dangerous brain pressures in patients with traumatic brain injury, contrary to previous beliefs. By tracking 122 patients' brain activity, doctors found ketamine maintained stable pressure levels while providing effective sedation, potentially offering a valuable treatment option that avoids common side effects of other sedatives.
Abstract
Acute traumatic neural injury, also known as traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a leading cause of death. TBI treatment focuses on the use of sedativ...
Cognitive and subjective acute dose effects of intramuscular ketamine in healthy adults.
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology – November 01, 2006
Summary
Ketamine's effect on memory is remarkably precise. A study investigated how varying intramuscular ketamine doses impacted healthy adults' cognitive functions and subjective experiences. Using a placebo-controlled design, volunteers received doses, with memory, attention, and motor skills assessed for five hours. Results revealed ketamine selectively impaired memory encoding and working memory speed, yet *spared retrieval, attention, and accuracy*. Crucially, participants reported *no hallucinations or mystical experiences*. Subjective effects were more sensitive and prolonged than cognitive impairments. This demonstrates ketamine's selective, temporary effects, enhancing our grasp of drug influence on cognition.
Abstract
Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. Given the purported role of the NMDA receptor in long-term potentiation, the p...
Ketamine's Influence on Magnetoencephalography Patterns During a Working Memory Task in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Exploratory Study.
Bipolar disorders – April 02, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a promising treatment for severe depression, changes brain wave patterns in memory-related regions while leaving cognitive performance intact. In patients with treatment-resistant depression, a single dose improved mood without affecting working memory or attention. Brain scans revealed shifts in neural activity across key attention networks, suggesting ketamine's antidepressant effects work through unique pathways that preserve cognitive function.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a challenge, necessitating novel interventions that address associated cognitive deficits. The glutama...
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Ketamine Use, its Addiction, and Withdrawal: A Mini Review.
Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology – March 03, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's dual nature as both a promising depression treatment and a potential source of addiction lies in its complex effects on brain chemistry. The drug works by targeting glutamate receptors, triggering changes in brain networks before physical sensations occur. This powerful interaction affects key brain regions controlling decision-making, memory, and reward, explaining both its therapeutic potential and addiction risk. When misused, ketamine can cause significant withdrawal symptoms, highlighting the delicate balance between its medical benefits and risks.
Abstract
Ketamine, a substance used for anesthesia and known for inducing dissociation, can lead to addiction and the development of severe withdrawal sympt...
Characterizing the therapeutical use of ketamine for adolescent rats of both sexes: Antidepressant-like efficacy and safety profile.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating adolescent depression, but its effects vary significantly between males and females. New research reveals that while this medication effectively reduces depressive symptoms in young rats, safety concerns emerged. Female adolescents showed signs of drug sensitization, while males displayed increased addiction risk when re-exposed to ketamine in adulthood. The findings highlight the complex balance between therapeutic benefits and safety considerations in youth mental health treatment.
Abstract
While ketamine was approved for treatment-resistant depression in adult patients, its efficacy and safety profile for adolescence still requires fu...
Beyond therapeutic potential: a systematic investigation of ketamine misuse in patients with depressive disorders.
Discover mental health – July 01, 2024
Summary
While ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, careful monitoring is essential. Analysis of patient data reveals that ketamine treatment for major depressive disorder can be highly effective when properly administered, but clinicians now have better tools to screen for potential misuse. A new standardized assessment protocol helps doctors safely deliver this breakthrough therapy while minimizing abuse risks.
Abstract
Ketamine, a pharmacological agent that acts as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, has garnered considerable interest becaus...
Ketamine Increases Human Motor Cortex Excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
The Journal of Physiology – March 01, 2003
Summary
Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine significantly enhance excitability in the human motor cortex, evidenced by a notable reduction in resting motor threshold (RMT) from 49% to 42.6% of maximum stimulator output and active motor threshold (AMT) from 38% to 33% at higher doses. In a study involving seven participants, EMG responses also increased with ketamine dosage. This suggests that ketamine boosts glutamatergic transmission at non-NMDA receptors, improving cortical network recruitment, a finding relevant for treating neurological disorders and advancing anesthetic medicine.
Abstract
Subanaesthetic doses of the N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine have been shown to determine a dual modulating effect on glutamaterg...
Ketamine and its Regulatory Implications: A Review
Journal of Medical Regulation – December 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, widely known as an anesthetic since 1970, is increasingly used off-label for treating depression and other psychiatric disorders. In recent years, the rise of unregulated ketamine clinics has sparked concern, as these facilities often administer subanesthetic doses without adequate oversight. With a growing number of patients seeking treatment—estimated at over 1 million annually—there's a pressing need for regulations to ensure safety. Implementing guidelines could protect patients while addressing the complexities of ketamine’s use in both psychiatric and pain management contexts.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been approved for use as a clinical and veterinary anesthetic sin...
Effect of S-ketamine on postoperative pain sensitivity in children with preoperative chemotherapy.
Pediatric research – May 30, 2025
Summary
S-ketamine shows promise in managing post-surgery pain for young cancer patients. In a breakthrough finding, children receiving this medication during surgery experienced significantly less pain and higher pain thresholds for up to 48 hours after their procedures. The treatment proved especially effective for those who had undergone chemotherapy, offering a new way to help vulnerable young patients recover more comfortably.
Abstract
Children undergoing chemotherapy experience exacerbated postoperative pain and prolonged pain perception. Intraoperative intravenous administration...