Esketamine Preserves Network Connectivity and Promotes Recovery in Consciousness Disorders.
CNS Neurosci Ther May 1, 2026 Xuewei Qin, Xuanling Chen, Lan Yao et al.
In patients with disorders of consciousness, the anesthetic esketamine preserved brain electrical complexity and gamma-band functional connectivity better than propofol during spinal cord stimulator implantation. Esketamine was linked to faster recovery of spontaneous breathing (12 vs. 17 minutes on average) and a lower need for blood pressure support during surgery. At three months, esketamine was associated with significantly improved consciousness outcomes. The findings suggest esketamine may offer neuroprotective benefits in this population.