Ketamine: More than Just NMDA Blocker
Ketamine Revisited - New Insights into NMDA Inhibitors September 14, 2022 Bhargab Deka, Biswajit Dash, Alakesh Bharali et al. 1 citation
Ketamine has been used in medicine for over 50 years, yet its precise mechanism remains unclear. It induces dissociative anesthesia—a state of profound analgesia, amnesia, light sleep, immobility, and dissociation—and has been studied as a model for psychosis and as a rapidly acting antidepressant. The drug inhibits NMDARs, particularly in interneurons, and its hypnotic effects involve blocking NMDA and HCN1 receptors, while also modulating choline, amine, and opioid systems. Its lasting effects on chronic pain and depression may stem from a hyperglutamatergic state that increases structural synaptic connectivity. This review highlights ketamine's actions on multiple biochemical processes beyond NMDA receptors, explaining its diverse roles.