1705 results for "Ketamine"
Alternating intravenous racemic ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy in treatment resistant depression: A case report
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2017
Summary
Remarkable relief from severe, chronic depression and suicidal thoughts emerged within the first week for one patient unresponsive to numerous previous treatments. This novel approach involved alternating electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine infusions. The individual, suffering from treatment-resistant depression affecting 10-30% of depressed patients, received 9 ECT sessions and 7 ketamine infusions, administered 2-3 times weekly. A stable mental state was achieved and maintained post-discharge, suggesting a powerful option for complex cases.
Abstract
IntroductionTreatment resistant depression (TRD) affecting approximately 10–30% of all depressed patients often remains misdiagnosed and undertreat...
Ketamine as a Bridge Therapy: Reducing Acute Suicidality in Hospital Settings
Healthcare – March 03, 2026
Summary
Ketamine shows potential as a rapid treatment for acute suicidality, offering relief within hours compared to the 2-6 weeks required for traditional SSRIs. With suicide rates rising in the U.S., this is a crucial public health concern. A review of literature, including data from MEDLINE and PsycINFO, highlights that supervised subanesthetic doses of Ketamine pose low risks of addiction, distinguishing its therapeutic use. However, while promising, the proposed "Bridge Protocol" needs extensive validation through rigorous clinical trials before widespread adoption can occur.
Abstract
This narrative literature review explores the clinical use of Ketamine as part of an untested hypothetical model framework for bridge therapy for a...
Hepatobiliary Complications Associated With Ketamine Use: Clinical Insights and Future Directions.
Cureus – May 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, effective for mood, surprisingly impacts liver health. A review found *side effects of ketamine* include *biliary duct abnormalities* and *drug-induced hepatotoxicity*, potentially causing *liver fibrosis* or *drug-induced liver failure* in *chronic ketamine users*. Positively, stopping ketamine often improves these conditions, and treatments exist. This knowledge is crucial for safe application.
Abstract
Ketamine has been utilized in various medical contexts, particularly for its effects on the nervous system. Over time, its applications have expand...
Are “mystical experiences” essential for antidepressant actions of ketamine and the classic psychedelics?
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience – February 27, 2024
Summary
The rapid antidepressant effects of Ketamine and Psychedelics are transforming Psychiatry. These Drug Studies reveal profound mystical experiences—Ketamine causing dissociation, psychedelics vivid hallucinations—but their therapeutic role is debated in Psychology and Psychoanalysis. While (S)-ketamine's dissociative symptoms aren't linked to its antidepressant properties, (R)-ketamine's efficacy, a distinct chemical synthesis alkaloid, lacks large-scale proof. Understanding how Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, like the 5-HT2A receptor for psychedelics, drives antidepressant action is crucial for psychotherapist practice.
Abstract
Abstract The growing interest in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of the dissociative anesthetic ketamine and classic psychedelics, s...
The endogenous opioid system in the medial prefrontal cortex mediates ketamine's antidepressant-like actions.
Translational psychiatry – February 12, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects are linked to natural opioid activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex. Scientists discovered that ketamine boosts levels of β-endorphin (our body's natural feel-good chemical) and activates opioid receptors in this key brain region. When researchers blocked these opioid signals, ketamine's mood-lifting effects disappeared, revealing how this promising treatment works to fight depression.
Abstract
Recent studies have implicated the endogenous opioid system in the antidepressant actions of ketamine, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear...
Economic evaluation of subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment resistant depression: A randomised, double-blind, active-controlled trial - The KADS study.
Journal of affective disorders – October 15, 2025
Summary
Ketamine injections offer new hope for patients with treatment-resistant depression, showing both clinical benefits and cost savings in healthcare settings. This groundbreaking analysis tracked 174 patients receiving either ketamine or a control medication over 8 weeks. Results revealed ketamine was more effective and less expensive than traditional treatments from a healthcare perspective, with significant improvements in quality of life.
Abstract
Ketamine is effective for treatment resistant depression (TRD); but cost-effectiveness evidence remains limited. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness...
Association of low-dose ketamine with hallucinations in critically ill patients: a target trial emulation.
Intensive care medicine – May 05, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine, commonly used for pain relief and sedation in intensive care, increases hallucination risk by over 6 times in critically ill patients. Among 7,500+ patients studied, those receiving ketamine for analgesia experienced hallucinations much earlier and more frequently (26% vs 7%) than those who didn't. This important finding helps doctors better balance ketamine's benefits against its potential to trigger delirium and other side effects.
Abstract
Ketamine use is a potentially modifiable risk factor for hallucinations. We aimed to use target trial emulation to investigate the association betw...
Nursing care in ketamine infusions for pain control in adults: a scoping review protocol.
JBI evidence synthesis – April 16, 2025
Summary
Healthcare providers are increasingly turning to intravenous ketamine for innovative pain management, with nurses playing a crucial frontline role. This comprehensive analysis examines how nursing practice impacts patient care during ketamine treatments, from initial patient assessment through monitoring and education. The review spans multiple databases to understand best practices in both hospital and outpatient settings, focusing on safe administration protocols and effective pain management strategies. Results will help standardize nursing care for ketamine infusion therapy.
Abstract
This scoping review will map the available evidence on nursing care provided to adults receiving ketamine infusion for pain management in hospitals...
Redefining Ketamine Pharmacology for Antidepressant Action: Synergistic NMDA and Opioid Receptor Interactions?
The American journal of psychiatry – March 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects may come from an unexpected source: its interaction with both brain opioid and NMDA receptors. While traditionally viewed as just an NMDA blocker, new evidence suggests ketamine's remarkable ability to lift severe depression stems from this dual-action mechanism. This synergistic effect explains why ketamine and esketamine work differently from conventional antidepressants, offering hope for treatment-resistant patients through innovative psychopharmacology approaches.
Abstract
Ketamine is a racemic compound and medication comprised of (S)-ketamine and (R)-ketamine enantiomers and its metabolites. It has been used for deca...
The antidepressant-like activity of ketamine in the rat chronic mild stress model requires activation of cortical 5-HT 1A receptors.
Behavioural pharmacology – June 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable ability to rapidly treat depression may depend on specific brain receptors, offering new hope for faster-acting treatments. In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers found that ketamine quickly reversed depression-like behaviors in rats experiencing chronic mild stress, but only when certain serotonin receptors in the brain's prefrontal cortex remained active. When these receptors were blocked, ketamine lost its antidepressant effects.
Abstract
Ketamine displays efficacious rapid-acting antidepressant (RAAD) activity in the rat chronic mild stress (CMS) model. It rapidly reverses anhedonia...
Effect of intravenous ketamine on suicidality in adults with treatment-resistant depression: A real world effectiveness study.
Psychiatry research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A single ketamine treatment can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with hard-to-treat depression. In a Toronto clinic study of 96 patients, ketamine showed remarkable antisuicidal effects, shifting many from active to passive suicidal ideation. Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, researchers found that ketamine's ability to reduce suicidal thoughts worked partially independent of its antidepressant benefits, suggesting a unique protective effect.
Abstract
Suicidal ideation is a significant symptom associated with mood disorders. Ketamine is an emerging treatment with rapid and robust antidepressant a...
Molecular signature underlying (R)-ketamine rapid antidepressant response on anhedonic-like behavior induced by sustained exposure to stress.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – December 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in depression treatment reveals how (R)-ketamine rapidly reverses anhedonic-like behavior - the inability to feel pleasure. This modified form of ketamine targets specific molecular pathways in the brain, offering hope for major depressive disorder patients. Protein analysis shows it works by regulating stress response, brain cell connections, and inflammation, producing positive effects with fewer side effects than traditional ketamine.
Abstract
Anhedonia induced by sustained stress exposure is a hallmark symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and in rodents, it can be accessed through ...
High-order brain interactions in ketamine during rest and task: a double-blinded cross-over design using portable EEG on male participants.
Translational psychiatry – July 27, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity can now be tracked using simple, portable EEG devices. Scientists found that ketamine increases the repetition of brain signals across multiple regions, particularly during rest. Using a double-blind study with 30 men, researchers compared brain patterns under ketamine versus saline. The drug created more synchronized brain activity, especially when participants were at rest, linking to feelings of disconnection from reality.
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that induces a shift in global consciousness states and related brain dynamics. Portable low-density EEG syst...
Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation: a randomized clinical trial.
BMC psychiatry – May 07, 2024
Summary
A single dose of ketamine showed remarkable promise in rapidly reducing severe depression symptoms, with effects lasting up to two months. In this clinical trial, patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder received either ketamine or saline. Those given ketamine experienced significant improvements within one hour, with dramatic reductions in both depression severity and suicidal ideation. Despite some side effects, the treatment's rapid action and lasting benefits mark a breakthrough for patients who haven't responded to traditional therapies.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most disabling and burdensome mental disorder, negatively affecting an individual's quality of life and dail...
Ketamine Infusion as a Single Sedative Agent for Post-Intubation Management of Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Archives of academic emergency medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Simplifying patient care, a single medication approach for sedation can reduce risks. A review found Ketamine infusion to be an effective and safe sole sedative for critically ill patients needing mechanical ventilation. This medication performed comparably to other methods for sedation, showing no significant difference in outcomes like mortality or hospital stay, offering a promising option for critical illness management.
Abstract
Combining multiple drugs for intubation raises concerns such as increased side effects, medication errors, nursing workload, and costs. Ketamine, w...
A preliminary proof-of-concept trial on the effects of ketamine on fatigue: a randomized crossover trial.
Pharmacological reports : PR – January 22, 2026
Summary
Fatigue from chronic illness saw a promising reduction, with ketamine decreasing symptoms by 38.7% just one day post-infusion in a pilot study. Ten individuals with conditions like fibromyalgia participated. Ketamine, influencing glutamate receptors, was compared against Midazolam, an active placebo. While Midazolam also showed some relief (up to 17.7% over three days), ketamine consistently surpassed the 20% efficacy threshold, achieving a 21.0% decrease over three days in one group. This early finding highlights ketamine's potential.
Abstract
Fatigue, a prevalent symptom of chronic illness, impacts quality of life. This proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial assessed...
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Sustain the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics – January 01, 2021
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression can be sustained longer with cognitive behavioral therapy. Of 42 patients, 28 responders to initial ketamine infusions were randomized. Those receiving CBT for 14 weeks showed greater sustained improvement in depressive symptoms compared to standard care, with a moderate-to-large effect size (Cohen *d* = 0.71). Furthermore, 8 ketamine responders from a 20-patient subset demonstrated improved emotional processing. This approach offers a promising strategy to maintain ketamine's benefits.
Abstract
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Ketamine has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant. While ongoing treatment can prevent rela...
Ketamine Anesthesia, Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy, and Cognitive Functions in Treatment-Resistant Depression
The Journal of ECT – September 01, 2016
Summary
For patients with drug-resistant depression, adding ketamine during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) significantly improved outcomes. Among 45 individuals, 15 patients receiving ketamine in five ECT sessions experienced notably lower depression intensity than 15 receiving only thiopental. However, patients who received ketamine anesthesia, including 15 who had it for just two sessions, showed a more pronounced decline in verbal memory. While ketamine may boost ECT's antidepressant power, it also carries potential cognitive trade-offs.
Abstract
Objectives Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for drug-resistant depression (DRD). Because a single infusion of ketami...
Ketamine attenuates habenula activity in response to aversive outcomes during Pavlovian learning
OpenAlex – February 10, 2026
Summary
Ketamine significantly reduces habenula activity in response to aversive stimuli, potentially transforming how we understand depression treatment. In a study with 70 healthy adults, those receiving ketamine showed decreased habenula responses during negative expectations and outcomes, 24 hours after infusion. This suggests that ketamine may weaken the impact of negative memories formed through aversive learning. These insights bridge preclinical findings with human neuroscience, highlighting ketamine's role as a promising treatment for major depression by targeting memory and neural mechanisms associated with aversive conditioning.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist with rapid-antidepressant properties when administered at a sub-anesthetic dose. Preclinical model...
Ketamine treatment for buprenorphine-precipitated opioid withdrawal: a case report.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
With fentanyl prevalent, starting buprenorphine can trigger severe buprenorphine opioid withdrawal. A patient experiencing this, unresponsive to standard care during buprenorphine initiation, found relief with ketamine. A single dose of ketamine helped manage the intense withdrawal, allowing eventual stabilization on buprenorphine. This highlights ketamine's promising role as an adjunctive treatment for opioid withdrawal.
Abstract
The presence of fentanyl in the drug supply is thought to contribute to the incidence of buprenorphine-precipitated opioid withdrawal (BPOW) during...
The influence of low-dose s-ketamine on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in older adults undergoing thoracic surgery.
Journal of cardiothoracic surgery – June 07, 2024
Summary
Low-dose S-ketamine shows promise in protecting brain function after major chest surgery. In older patients, this specialized anesthetic reduced post-surgery confusion by 55% and improved cognitive recovery. The medication's strong safety profile and neuroprotective effects make it particularly valuable for patients over 65 undergoing thoracic surgery, potentially revolutionizing how we prevent postoperative delirium.
Abstract
Postoperative delirium (POD) and cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are common complications following thoracic surgery, particularly in patients aged 65...
Ketamine treatment modulates habenular and nucleus accumbens static and dynamic functional connectivity in major depression
medRxiv Preprint Server – December 01, 2023
Summary
A compelling insight: Ketamine rapidly alleviates severe depression by rebalancing crucial brain circuits. Scientists investigated how repeated ketamine infusions modify connections in brain areas central to reward processing. Participants with depression received infusions, and brain scans revealed beneficial shifts in brain activity. Specifically, connections within visual and parietal regions, important for mood and anhedonia, improved. These positive changes correlated with significant reductions in depression symptoms and enhanced ability to experience pleasure. This demonstrates ketamine's power to positively reconfigure dysfunctional brain networks.
Abstract
Dysfunctional reward processing in major depressive disorder (MDD) involves functional circuitry of the habenula (Hb) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). ...
Ketamine and sleep modulate neural complexity dynamics in cats
bioRxiv Preprint Server – June 25, 2021
Summary
Brain signal complexity dramatically shifts with consciousness. Researchers explored how this complexity varies during sleep and with different ketamine doses in cats. Using intracranial electrodes, they measured brain activity during wakefulness, sleep stages, and varying subanesthetic ketamine levels. Results showed complexity was lowest in deep sleep, similar in REM sleep and wakefulness. Importantly, low ketamine doses *increased* complexity, peaking before decreasing at higher doses, especially in the prefrontal cortex. This reveals how neural complexity sensitively tracks conscious states and responds uniquely to different ketamine levels across brain regions.
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that level of consciousness can be captured by neural informational complexity: for instance, complexity, as measured ...
Subanesthetic ketamine alters EEG signal complexity: Implications for treatment stratification in depression.
Journal of affective disorders – October 01, 2025
Summary
Brain activity patterns may predict who will benefit from ketamine therapy for depression. By analyzing EEG recordings, researchers found that lower electrical complexity in specific brain regions before treatment indicated better outcomes. Ketamine temporarily increased overall brain signal complexity during infusion, while patients with depression showed unique responses that could serve as biomarkers for treatment success.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder, particularly its treatment-resistant form (TRD), poses significant treatment challenges. Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-asparta...
Pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of ketamine after nasal administration.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis – October 15, 2025
Summary
Nasal spray delivery of ketamine shows promise for rapid depression treatment, reaching key brain regions within minutes. When administered through the nose, ketamine quickly enters the bloodstream and concentrates in areas linked to mood regulation, particularly the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Advanced testing revealed peak levels occur within 5 minutes, with the drug clearing naturally from the body within 3 hours.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a severe mental condition characterized by abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain. Ketamine is a nov...
Unlocking the Potential of Ketamine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of its Safety and Efficacy in Acute Pain Management.
Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening – April 29, 2025
Summary
As hospitals seek alternatives to opioids like fentanyl for pain management, ketamine shows promise. Analysis of multiple clinical trials reveals that ketamine provides significant pain relief within 15 minutes of administration, matching the effectiveness of traditional painkillers. While showing similar safety profiles to placebo treatments, ketamine offers a viable option for acute pain control without increased side effects.
Abstract
The management of acute pain is a crucial and challenging component of emergency care. The pursuit of an ideal drug that alleviates pain rapidly an...
Nebulized ketamine for acute pain management in the Emergency Department: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The American journal of emergency medicine – April 22, 2025
Summary
Inhaled ketamine shows promise as a safe alternative to traditional pain medications in emergency rooms. When delivered through nebulization, ketamine provides effective acute pain relief comparable to IV morphine, with similar safety profiles. This method offers emergency departments a valuable non-invasive option for managing severe pain, potentially transforming how we approach emergency pain treatment.
Abstract
Ketamine administered in sub-dissociative doses has been effective in managing a variety of painful conditions in the emergency department (ED) and...
Prehospital Ketamine Administration in Benzodiazepine Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case Series Review.
Prehospital emergency care – April 16, 2025
Summary
When seizures don't respond to standard treatments, ketamine shows remarkable promise, stopping seizures in over 90% of cases. This medication, already used by emergency responders for other conditions, proved highly effective when given to 42 patients whose seizures weren't controlled by conventional drugs. While some patients needed breathing support, the success rate suggests ketamine could be a game-changing option for emergency treatment of persistent seizures.
Abstract
Benzodiazepines are the treatment for seizures in prehospital settings, but fail in up to 40% of cases, leading to benzodiazepine refractory status...
The Restoration of Energy Pathways Indicates the Efficacy of Ketamine Treatment in Depression: A Metabolomic Analysis.
CNS neuroscience & therapeutics – March 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals how ketamine fights depression by restoring vital energy pathways in the brain. Scientists tracked metabolic changes in patients with major depressive disorder, finding that those who responded well to ketamine showed significant improvements in energy-related molecules. The study found that baseline thyroxine levels could predict treatment success, offering a potential way to identify patients most likely to benefit.
Abstract
Despite the clinical benefits of ketamine in treating major depressive disorder (MDD), some patients exhibit drug resistance, and the intricate mec...
Psychotic-Like Experiences in Young Recreational Users of Ketamine: A Case Study.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 08, 2025
Summary
Regular ketamine use among young adults can trigger experiences similar to early psychosis, according to findings from 10 frequent users aged 18-24. Higher usage correlated strongly with psychotic-like symptoms, mimicking schizophrenia patterns through disruption of brain receptors. While other recreational drugs showed minimal impact, ketamine's unique effects raise important mental health considerations for young recreational users.
Abstract
This study explores the psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) associated with recreational ketamine use among young adults. Ketamine, initially introdu...
Effects of ketamine and propofol on muscarinic plateau potentials in rat neocortical pyramidal cells.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Two common anesthetics - ketamine and propofol - affect brain activity in surprisingly different ways, explaining why patients experience vivid dreams with one but not the other. Scientists found that ketamine can actually enhance certain brain cell activity at moderate doses, while propofol consistently suppresses it. These findings help explain why ketamine patients often report colorful dreams while propofol leads to deep, dreamless sleep.
Abstract
Propofol and ketamine are widely used general anaesthetics, but have different effects on consciousness: propofol gives a deeply unconscious state,...
Is there a risk of addiction to ketamine during the treatment of depression? A systematic review of available literature.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
While ketamine shows remarkable success in treating severe depression, its history as a recreational drug has raised questions about addiction risks. Studies tracking over 2,000 patients receiving medically supervised ketamine or esketamine treatment found minimal evidence of dependence. Only four patients developed tolerance or addiction-like symptoms, suggesting that therapeutic use under proper medical supervision carries low risk of dependence while effectively treating depression.
Abstract
Ketamine has demonstrated both rapid and sustained efficacy in treating depression, especially in treatment-resistant cases. However, concerns rega...
Ketamine treatment in youth for fast reduction of suicidality and engagement in psychotherapy: A randomized placebo-controlled trial protocol.
Contemporary clinical trials – February 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking approach combines ketamine treatment with specialized psychotherapy to address urgent suicide risks in adolescents and young adults. The protocol pairs rapid-acting ketamine infusions with CAMS therapy sessions, testing if this combination can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts and improve treatment engagement. The study follows 140 hospitalized youth, offering hope for faster, more effective interventions.
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death in young persons. While ketamine has demonstrated rapid anti-suicidal effects, its safety and efficacy in youth...
Ketamine for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: Double-blind active-controlled crossover study.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
New hope emerges for those struggling with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: ketamine shows promising results in reducing symptoms. In a controlled trial, patients receiving ketamine injections experienced significant symptom improvement compared to those given an alternative medication. Benefits appeared within hours and lasted up to a week, with higher doses showing better results.
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may respond to ketamine treatment. To examine the responsiveness and tolerability of treatment-refractory OCD t...
Efficacy and safety of intravenous ketamine treatment in Japanese patients with treatment-resistant depression: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences – December 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking study reveals that ketamine shows promise in treating depression across ethnic groups, with Japanese patients experiencing significant mood improvements after repeated doses. In this first major Asian trial, patients with treatment-resistant depression received twice-weekly ketamine infusions for two weeks. Those completing the full treatment showed meaningful reduction in depression symptoms compared to placebo, with higher initial depression scores predicting better outcomes. The treatment proved safe, with no serious side effects reported.
Abstract
Although the antidepressant effect of ketamine on treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has been frequently reported in North American and European ...
Ketamine alleviates PTSD-like effect and improves hippocampal synaptic plasticity via regulation of GSK-3β/GR signaling of rats.
Journal of psychiatric research – October 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise in treating PTSD by improving brain cell connections. New research reveals that a single low dose can reduce anxiety-like behaviors by adjusting important brain signaling pathways. The drug works by regulating specific proteins in the hippocampus, enhancing synaptic plasticity - the brain's ability to form new connections. This breakthrough explains why ketamine provides rapid relief from PTSD symptoms.
Abstract
Each year, 3-4% of the global population experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic mental disorder with significant social and e...
Fast-acting antidepressant-like effects of ketamine in aged male rats.
Pharmacological reports : PR – October 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of ketamine shows promise in rapidly lifting depression symptoms in older adults, offering hope where traditional antidepressants often fall short. In aging brains, this fast-acting antidepressant triggered positive behavioral changes within just 30 minutes by boosting BDNF, a key protein that supports brain cell health. While repeated doses proved less effective, this breakthrough suggests ketamine could be particularly valuable for elderly patients needing quick relief from depression.
Abstract
The aging process causes anatomical and physiological changes that predispose to the development of late-life depression while reduces the efficacy...
Ketamine in fibromyalgia: a systematic review.
Advances in rheumatology (London, England) – July 29, 2024
Summary
The anesthetic ketamine shows promising short-term relief for those battling fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. When traditional treatments and antidepressants fall short, ketamine infusions reduced pain levels significantly in clinical trials, with some patients reporting dramatic drops in pain scores. Most participants were women who experienced quick relief with minimal side effects that resolved shortly after treatment.
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) subjects are treated with antidepressant agents; in most cases, these drugs lose efficacy or have adverse effects. Ketamine is an...
The impact of ketamine on pain-related outcomes after thoracotomy: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows promising results in managing post-surgical pain. When combined with standard pain medications after thoracic surgery, it significantly reduces both pain intensity and the need for opioid painkillers. Analysis of 556 patients across multiple trials revealed that those receiving ketamine experienced better pain management outcomes, with less discomfort both while resting and moving. This approach cut opioid use by nearly two-thirds during the critical first three days after surgery, offering a more effective acute pain management strategy.
Abstract
This meta-analysis aims to examine how effective ketamine is in the management of acute and preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain by synthesizin...
From Wheelchair Bound to Working: A Case Study of Intravenous Ketamine Infusions in Treating Stiff Person Syndrome.
Cureus – April 01, 2024
Summary
A wheelchair-bound patient with severe muscle spasms regained mobility and returned to work after receiving intravenous ketamine treatments. The therapy proved effective for managing chronic pain and muscle rigidity in stiff person syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder. Monthly ketamine infusions allowed the patient to reduce other medications and maintain long-term pain relief, demonstrating a promising treatment option for those resistant to conventional therapies.
Abstract
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune condition marked by extremely painful muscle spasms, stiffness, and rigidity throughout the body. ...
Subanesthetic S-ketamine does not acutely alter striatal dopamine transporter binding in healthy Sprague Dawley female rats.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.) – July 01, 2024
Summary
S-ketamine, a promising fast-acting antidepressant, may work differently than scientists thought. New research using advanced brain imaging (PET) found that single doses don't affect dopamine transporter levels in the brain's reward center. This challenges previous theories about how this rapid-acting treatment lifts depression, suggesting its effectiveness likely stems from other neurological mechanisms.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, posing a global socioeconomic burden. Conventional antidepressant t...
Therapeutic doses of ketamine acutely attenuate the aversive effect of losses during decision-making.
eLife – May 03, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's ability to rapidly lift depression may work by dampening our reaction to negative experiences. In a fascinating neuroscience study with rhesus macaques, therapeutic doses of ketamine reduced the emotional impact of losses during decision-making tasks, without dulling positive experiences. This antidepressant effect, linked to NMDA receptor activity, suggests ketamine helps break negative reinforcement cycles by softening how deeply negative events affect affective memory.
Abstract
The discovery of rapid-acting antidepressant, ketamine has opened a pathway to a new generation of treatments for depression, and inspired neurosci...
Depression, an unmet health need in Africa: Understanding the promise of ketamine.
Heliyon – April 15, 2024
Summary
In Africa, depression affects millions but remains severely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise as a rapid-acting treatment. Unlike conventional antidepressants, its unique mechanism of action provides relief within hours instead of weeks. While costly branded versions exist, affordable generic ketamine could be a game-changer for African healthcare systems.
Abstract
In Africa, there is currently a paucity of data on the epidemiology of depression, its treatment and management. The prevalence of depression is se...
Efficacy of intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine with dose escalation for Major depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of affective disorders – July 01, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals that lower doses of ketamine may be just as effective in treating major depressive disorder. Clinical trials show both intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine significantly reduce depression symptoms, with dose escalation studies finding optimal results at moderate levels. Higher doses didn't provide additional benefits, suggesting a "sweet spot" for treatment effectiveness.
Abstract
Intravenous (IV) racemic ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (...
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met and CYP2B6 polymorphisms as predictors for ketamine effectiveness in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – April 01, 2024
Summary
Genetic markers may hold clues to antidepressant success, but new research shows two commonly studied genes don't predict ketamine's effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder. While 25% of patients with treatment-resistant depression responded positively to ketamine therapy, variations in Val66Met and CYP2B6 genes didn't influence treatment outcomes or tolerability. The findings suggest multiple genetic factors likely determine pharmacogenetic responses.
Abstract
Converging lines of evidence indicate that ketamine is a rapid antidepressant for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Hitherto, no rel...
Patient-reported outcomes on sleep quality and circadian rhythm during treatment with intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promising effects on sleep patterns in people with hard-to-treat depression. In a 4-week study, patients receiving ketamine infusions reported significant improvements in sleep quality and daytime functioning. The treatment helped regulate their natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) and reduced insomnia symptoms. Most notably, participants slept longer and felt more alert during the day.
Abstract
Intravenous (IV) ketamine is a rapid acting antidepressant used primarily for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It has been suggested that IV k...
Comparative safety and tolerability of ketamine and esketamine for major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, serious adverse events are not significantly more common when treating major depressive disorder with certain new therapies. A comprehensive meta-analysis investigated the safety of esketamine and ketamine for unipolar depression. Systematically reviewing many studies, it found both drugs can cause transient side effects like dizziness and temporary blood pressure changes. However, they demonstrate a positive safety profile overall, with no significant long-term issues regarding cognitive function, addiction, or organ health observed. Esketamine showed a potential tolerability advantage over ketamine for short-term use, offering promising options for patients.
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine have demonstrated rapid, short-term antidepressant effects in major depressive disorder (MDD), but their relative safety re...
Ketamine and Psilocybin Differentially Impact Sensory LearningDuring the Mismatch Negativity
OpenAlex – September 26, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin (an alkaloid) and the chemical synthesis drug ketamine distinctly alter how our sensory system processes information, offering new avenues in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience. Ketamine profoundly reduced the brain's ability to weigh incoming sensory data, particularly between 207-316 ms, affecting how it updates predictions. Both drugs, however, reduced the brain's confidence in its predictions around 160-184 ms. Drug studies reveal ketamine's significant impact on sensory processing and adaptation to change, while psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is more nuanced. This understanding could tailor mental health therapies.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine and psilocybin show potential as therapies for various mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder. However, further in...
Treating chronic pain with low dose ketamine and adjunct therapies within a biopsychosocial approach: a case series.
Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) – January 01, 2025
Summary
For individuals battling chronic pain, a novel approach offers hope beyond mere pain relief. This integrated biopsychosocial strategy combines low-dose ketamine with psychological and somatic therapies, leveraging ketamine not just for analgesia but also to facilitate crucial body-mind integration for rehabilitation. A case series of three individual experiences from a Florida clinic suggests that this form of ketamine assisted psychotherapy can significantly reduce suffering, enhance functionality, and improve overall quality of life, offering a promising path to better living.
Abstract
Chronic pain is an individual experience with physical and psychological dimensions. Ketamine is used in sub-anesthetic doses to treat chronic pain...
Real-world comparison of intranasal racemic ketamine and esketamine in treatment-resistant depression: A retrospective observational study.
Journal of affective disorders – January 21, 2026
Summary
For individuals battling Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), Intranasal racemic ketamine appears as effective as Esketamine for symptom reduction. A study of 76 patients with MDD found both treatments significantly improved depression scores. Racemic ketamine reduced scores by 10.0 points, while Esketamine achieved a 9.3-point reduction, meeting non-inferiority criteria. However, Esketamine led to higher remission rates (38.7% vs. 15.6%). This suggests racemic ketamine is a viable option for managing MDD symptoms, but Esketamine might offer a greater chance of full remission.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) imposes major individual and societal burden, with few therapeutic options. Intranasal esketamine is approved ...
Association Between Receipt of Ketamine vs Etomidate for Emergency Tracheal Intubation and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at 12 Months.
CHEST critical care – June 01, 2025
Summary
Receiving ketamine for emergent tracheal intubation is associated with significantly fewer symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 12 months compared to etomidate. Among 141 critically ill patients, those given ketamine had a median PTSD score of 7 versus 14 for etomidate. Only 15.4% of ketamine patients met probable PTSD criteria, compared to 20.2% for etomidate. Reducing PTSD can also lessen associated anxiety, depression, and long-term cognitive impairment, offering a potential benefit during critical care.
Abstract
One of 3 patients in the ICU receiving mechanical ventilation demonstrates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A single dose of ketamine has been...
TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY FOR TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION: A MIXED METHODS ASSESSMENT
Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society – March 03, 2023
Summary
Rapid, transformative relief from severe depression was observed in patients receiving IV ketamine. Among 14 individuals with treatment-resistant depression, significant improvements in symptom severity occurred at one hour and two weeks following the final dose of 6 infusions over two weeks. While these effects were not sustained at one month, most patients, initially hesitant, became advocates for ketamine therapy. This demonstrates ketamine's quick, acceptable impact on severe depressive symptoms, though longer-term benefits remain unestablished.
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the response of treatment resistant depression to IV ketamine therapy protocol and explore the per...
Demographic and clinical predictors of response and remission in the treatment of major depressive disorder with ketamine and esketamine: A systematic review.
Psychiatry research – March 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatments ketamine and esketamine show promise in treating major depressive disorder, helping patients who haven't responded to traditional therapies. A comprehensive analysis of 44 studies reveals that certain traits—including sleep problems, memory function, and metabolic health—may influence treatment success. While patient characteristics like age and gender don't significantly impact outcomes, those with specific symptoms like anhedonia may respond particularly well.
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports the efficacy of (es)ketamine in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly treatment-resistant d...
S-ketamine ameliorates post-stroke depression in mice via attenuation of neuroinflammation, synaptic restoration, and BDNF pathway activation.
Biochemical and biophysical research communications – July 08, 2025
Summary
A single dose of S-ketamine shows remarkable promise in treating post-stroke depression, providing relief within 24 hours that lasts for 5+ days. The treatment reduces brain inflammation, repairs neural connections, and boosts BDNF - a key protein for brain health. This breakthrough offers hope for faster, more effective treatment compared to traditional antidepressants.
Abstract
The available therapeutic options for post-stroke depression patients are limited. Although SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants,...
Incidence of post-induction hypotension following emergency rapid sequence induction with ketamine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine – May 01, 2025
Summary
When emergency patients need immediate airway management, the choice of anesthetic matters. New analysis reveals that ketamine, a commonly used medication for rapid sequence induction (RSI), performs similarly to other drugs in terms of post-procedure blood pressure drops. Examining data from nearly 32,000 patients across 27 studies, researchers found no significant difference in hypotension rates between ketamine and alternative medications, challenging previous assumptions about its protective effects.
Abstract
Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is a potentially-life saving intervention in critically ill patients. An important adverse effect of this procedure ...
Comparative Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine and Tramadol in Reducing Postspinal Anesthesia Shivering in Urological Surgeries: A Triple-blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
Journal of research in pharmacy practice – January 01, 2024
Summary
Shivering after spinal anesthesia affects up to 60% of surgery patients, but new research shows promising solutions. When comparing intravenous ketamine and tramadol for preventing post-surgery shivers during urological procedures, tramadol emerged as the clear winner. It reduced shivering in 77% of patients, while causing fewer side effects than ketamine. This breakthrough offers surgeons a safer, more effective way to keep patients comfortable.
Abstract
Shivering is one of the most common complications due to disturbances in the thermoregulatory system after regional anesthesia, leading to adverse ...
Etomidate versus ketamine for in-hospital rapid sequence intubation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine – June 01, 2025
Summary
When seconds count in emergency care, choosing the right medication for rapid sequence intubation matters. A comprehensive analysis of nearly 24,000 critically ill patients revealed that both etomidate and ketamine are equally effective for emergency breathing tube placement. While etomidate showed lower need for blood pressure support, ketamine had less impact on hormone function. This finding gives doctors confidence in using either medication based on individual patient needs.
Abstract
Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a critical procedure in emergency and intensive care settings. Etomidate has been favored for its hemodynamic st...
Rapid Antidepressant and Antisuicidal Effects of Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression With or Without Low-Grade Inflammation.
Pharmacopsychiatry – December 20, 2024
Summary
A single low-dose ketamine infusion can rapidly lift depression symptoms, particularly in patients without inflammation markers in their blood. This treatment shows promise for those who haven't responded to traditional antidepressants, with notable improvements in both mood and suicidal thoughts. The medication proved especially effective in patients with normal inflammation levels, while those with elevated inflammation showed mixed results.
Abstract
Low-grade inflammation (LGI) contributes to resistance against traditional antidepressants. However, whether the antidepressant and antisuicidal ef...
Ketamine for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
CNS spectrums – November 20, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise in treating multiple psychiatric conditions. Research reveals significant symptom improvements in patients with PTSD, OCD, and alcohol use disorders. The drug particularly excels in helping those with treatment-resistant conditions, reducing PTSD symptoms by 28 points on standard scales and OCD symptoms by 8 points. For alcohol-related disorders, patients showed decreased drinking urges and maintained longer periods of sobriety.
Abstract
Inadequate response to first- and second-line pharmacological treatments for psychiatric disorders is commonly observed. Ketamine has demonstrated ...
Effects of ketamine on GABAergic and glutamatergic activity in the mPFC: biphasic recruitment of GABA function in antidepressant-like responses.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects work through a two-step process in the brain's emotion center. Initially, it briefly reduces inhibitory signals, followed by a surge in these same signals after an hour. This unique pattern helps restore healthy brain activity and improve mood. The drug's success relies on this careful balance of neural signals, offering hope for better depression treatments.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with disruptions in glutamatergic and GABAergic activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), lead...