Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse, A Systematic Review
Jurriaan F. M. Strous, C. Weeland, Femke A. van der Draai, J. Daams, D. Denys, A. Lok, R. Schoevers, M. Figee
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy March 18, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.795231 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Long-term recreational ketamine use is associated with lower gray matter volume, reduced white matter integrity, and decreased functional connectivity between brain regions, particularly thalamocortical and corticocortical pathways. A systematic review of 16 studies involving 440 chronic users (average 2.4 grams per day for 2–9.7 years) compared with 259 drug-free controls and 44 poly-drug controls found these neuroanatomical differences. The observed brain changes may help explain cognitive and psychiatric side effects of prolonged ketamine abuse, including memory impairment and executive functioning problems. The findings suggest that efforts to curb ketamine abuse are warranted given its potential long-term effects on the brain.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 440 |
| Population | Chronic recreational ketamine users |
| Keywords | Medicine |
| Citations | 79 |
| Key finding | Long-term recreational ketamine use is associated with lower gray matter volume, less white matter integrity, and lower functional thalamocortical and corticocortical connectivity. |
Abstract
Recently, the abuse of ketamine has soared. Therefore, it is of great importance to study its potential risks. The effects of prolonged ketamine on the brain can be observationally studied in chronic recreational users. We performed a systematic review of studies reporting functional and structural brain changes after repeated ketamine abuse. We searched the following electronic databases: Medline, Embase and PsycINFO We screened 11,438 records and 16 met inclusion criteria, totaling 440 chronic recreational ketamine users (2–9.7 years; mean use 2.4 g/day), 259 drug-free controls and 44 poly-drug controls. Long-term recreational ketamine use was associated with lower gray matter volume and less white matter integrity, lower functional thalamocortical and corticocortical connectivity. The observed differences in both structural and functional neuroanatomy between ketamine users and controls may explain some of its long-term cognitive and psychiatric side effects, such as memory impairment and executive functioning. Given the effect that long-term ketamine exposure may yield, an effort should be made to curb its abuse.