1731 results for "Ketamine"
Prevalence study of drugs and new psychoactive substances in hair of ketamine consumers using a methanolic direct extraction prior to high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Forensic science international – December 01, 2021
Summary
Ten individuals positive for the arylcyclohexylamine Ketamine, a common hallucinogen, also consumed other new psychoactive substances (NPS). Reanalyzing their hair samples using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with an incubation methanolic extraction revealed widespread polyconsumption. This advanced Orbitrap technology detected additional arylcyclohexylamines and Cathinones, like deschloroketamine and methylmetcathinone, in all 10 cases. This highlights a significant trend: Ketamine users frequently engage in broader NPS use, providing crucial insights into substance prevalence beyond initial screenings.
Abstract
Few studies have reported the prevalence or incidence about the consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The hair analysis can be useful f...
Evaluating Ketamine vs Thiopental as an Anesthetic Adjuvant for Electroconvulsive Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Meta-Analysis
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry – August 01, 2025
Summary
For severe depression unresponsive to other treatments, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly effective. An analysis of four studies involving 320 patients reveals that both ketamine and thiopental anesthetics equally reduce depressive symptoms, with average score reductions of 22.19 and 20.24 points, respectively. While ketamine may enhance ECT's brain activity duration, it also brings more side effects like nausea and hypertension. Thiopental offers a better safety profile, especially for those with heart conditions.
Abstract
Background Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses a significant challenge, with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) being its highly effective inte...
Listening to music during intranasal (es)ketamine therapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression correlates with better tolerability and reduced anxiety
Frontiers in Psychiatry – January 23, 2024
Summary
Listening to music during ketamine therapy for depression dramatically reduces anxiety, from 1.4 points to 0.4 points on a scale. Evaluating 494 sessions from 37 patients showed music also lowered maximal systolic blood pressure (137.9 mmHg vs. 140.3 mmHg) and allowed for higher ketamine doses (131.5 mg vs. 116.7 mg). Dissociation levels were stable or slightly higher (3 points vs. 2.4 points). Music appears to improve tolerability, potentially optimizing treatment without affecting overall depression score changes.
Abstract
BackgroundAlthough the effectiveness of (es)ketamine for therapy-resistant depression (TRD) has been established, potential treatment-limiting fact...
Club drugs: methylenedioxymethamphetamine, flunitrazepam, ketamine hydrochloride, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy – June 01, 2002
Summary
The rising abuse of club drugs, including MDMA, flunitrazepam, ketamine hydrochloride, and GHB, is alarming, particularly among youth at dance parties. For instance, MDMA enhances neurotransmitter release, leading to euphoria and increased energy but can cause serious effects like hyperthermia and arrhythmias. Flunitrazepam may lead to loss of consciousness, while ketamine can result in confusion and cardiovascular issues. GHB poses severe risks, including seizures and coma. With these substances increasingly linked to sexual assault, healthcare professionals must be vigilant in managing potential intoxication cases.
Abstract
The abuse of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), flunitrazepam, ketamine hydrochloride, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is discussed. Club drugs ...
Patients’ Voices on Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Narrative Review of Qualitative Perspectives
Journal of Clinical Medicine – December 25, 2025
Summary
Ketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression reveals profound patient experiences that quantitative data alone cannot capture. A narrative review analyzed 25 qualitative studies, highlighting key themes such as motivations for treatment (85% of participants), the subjective experience during therapy, and post-treatment outcomes. Patients reported significant side effects, with 40% discontinuing treatment due to adverse reactions. Insights from these narratives emphasize the importance of integrating patient perspectives into mental health interventions, guiding the design of ketamine programs that prioritize user needs and enhance treatment acceptability.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a significant public-health challenge, with many patients failing to respond to conventional therapies...
Ketamine pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder: A narrative review
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry – February 27, 2026
Summary
Ketamine pharmacotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly for patients with treatment-resistant depression. With FDA approval, both intravenous (IV) and intranasal (IN) forms show mixed-to-positive antidepressant effects in various studies, including randomized controlled trials involving hundreds of participants. Adverse effects like dissociation and sedation are noted, but ketamine's efficacy is comparable to established treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Future exploration aims to refine therapeutic approaches and personalize treatment strategies for mood disorders.
Abstract
Ketamine pharmacotherapy provides a novel treatment option for major depressive disorder (MDD) and has generated a large, growing body of research ...
Overview of Ketamine Guidelines in Psychiatric Disorders
International Journal of Psychiatry – September 26, 2025
Summary
Ketamine demonstrates significant potential in treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), particularly for individuals with suicidal ideation. In clinical settings, it has been effective for about 70% of patients who did not respond to traditional treatments like fluoxetine. While primarily used for anesthesia, ketamine's unique mechanism offers a different approach to managing psychiatric disorders, including Bipolar Disorder and PTSD. Its use is typically considered after standard therapies fail, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care.
Abstract
Ketamine has anti depressive characters and approved by (FDA) for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia, Ketamine has been incorporated into ...
Managing Chronic Pain: The Ketamine Option
CNS Drugs – October 16, 2025
Summary
Ketamine has shown significant promise in managing chronic refractory pain, particularly neuropathic pain, providing substantial short-term relief for many patients. In clinical trials, it has been well-tolerated by those with severe pain conditions. However, critical gaps remain regarding long-term efficacy, cognitive effects, and addiction risks. The intravenous route is the most researched, but alternatives need exploration. As a non-first-line treatment, ketamine requires careful supervision by specialists to ensure safe and effective use within a structured care framework.
Abstract
Ketamine, an anaesthetic and sedative drug, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for the management of chronic refractory pain, but is use...
The Effect of Ketamine infusions on suicidal ideation in various mood disorders
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association – December 20, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a rapid intervention for suicidal ideation in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In clinical settings, low doses administered intravenously significantly reduced suicidality, with some studies reporting over 50% improvement within hours. Beyond suicidality, Ketamine also alleviated mood dysregulation and impulsive behaviors in BPD patients. Its mechanism involves regulating neurotrophic factors, suggesting a potential breakthrough in emergency psychiatry for managing acute crises effectively. Further exploration of dosing and safety is essential for broader application.
Abstract
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised by altered perception of self, mood changes, and suicidal ideation. The traditional treatmen...
Utilizing depression symptom-based phenotypes to explore ketamine treatment response in major depression: The Bio-K multicenter trial.
Journal of affective disorders – September 15, 2025
Summary
In a breakthrough for treatment-resistant depression, ketamine therapy shows promise across different depression phenotypes, with over half of patients achieving remission. The Bio-K trial revealed that intravenous ketamine effectively improved multiple depression subtypes, though patients with predominant sadness symptoms showed lower remission rates. Three infusions over 11 days reduced symptoms across all phenotypes, particularly helping those with negative thoughts and detachment. This targeted approach to depression treatment could help clinicians better predict patient outcomes.
Abstract
Previous work has identified four correlated factors (depression phenotypes) using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)- Sadness, ...
Dynamic regulation of phosphorylation of NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit tyrosine residues mediates ketamine rapid antidepressant effects.
Pharmacological research – July 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable ability to lift depression symptoms within hours, rather than weeks, has revolutionized mental health treatment. New research reveals how this works: ketamine restores balance to key brain proteins by adjusting their phosphorylation levels. The drug specifically targets NR2B receptors in the prefrontal cortex, rapidly normalizing their function both inside and outside nerve connections, leading to quick antidepressant effects.
Abstract
The rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine depend on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor containing 2B subunit (NR2B), whose function is inf...
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists professional practice guidelines for the use of ketamine in psychiatric practice.
The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry – April 28, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, once known primarily as an anesthetic, shows promising results in treating severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. New professional practice guidelines from Australia and New Zealand provide clinicians with evidence-based protocols for safe ketamine use in psychiatric treatment. The guidelines emphasize careful patient selection, proper dosing, and monitoring protocols while highlighting ketamine's potential as a rapid-acting intervention for treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
Abstract
Professional practice guidelines for the use of ketamine in psychiatric practice have been developed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand Colleg...
Safety and efficacy of ketamine use in patients with vaso-occlusive crisis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
EJHaem – December 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as an alternative to traditional opioids for managing severe pain in sickle cell disease. When painful vaso-occlusive crises strike, this medication could offer relief while reducing opioid dependence. Analysis of nearly 700 patients revealed that ketamine was generally safe, with only mild side effects like nausea. While pain reduction scores were similar to standard treatments, ketamine provided effective pain management without serious complications.
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by acute episodes called vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). VOC is marked by severe pain due to blocked blood ...
Ketamine and chronic treatment-resistant depression: real-world practice and after relapse.
BMC psychiatry – October 28, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting treatment for chronic treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but its effects require careful management. In real-world clinical practice, patients receiving six ketamine infusions showed significant improvement, with 67% responding positively to treatment. While the antidepressant effect was notable, symptoms typically returned after relapse. MADRS scores helped track patient progress, suggesting ketamine may work best as an adjuvant therapy alongside other treatments.
Abstract
Chronic treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses a major challenge for clinicians. Ketamine has shown a rapid but short-lived antidepressant effe...
Non-improvement predicts subsequent non-response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine for depression: a re-analysis of a 2-week open-label study in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression.
Translational psychiatry – August 06, 2024
Summary
Early response to ketamine treatment may predict its overall effectiveness in treating depression. Medical professionals found that patients who don't show at least 20% improvement in symptoms after 3-4 ketamine infusions are unlikely to benefit from further treatments. Following 135 patients with depression through multiple ketamine doses, the study revealed that monitoring early symptom changes could help doctors make faster decisions about continuing or stopping treatment, potentially saving time and resources for patients who won't benefit.
Abstract
There is insufficient evidence to guide dose and frequency optimization with repeated-dose ketamine for depression. This study assessed the value o...
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Ketamine Derivatives as NMDAR Antagonists.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) – May 23, 2024
Summary
Scientists have discovered promising modifications to ketamine that could revolutionize depression treatment. By tweaking ketamine's molecular structure, researchers developed new compounds that effectively block NMDAR receptors in the brain - the same mechanism behind ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects - while potentially reducing unwanted side effects. Two novel compounds showed superior results, paving the way for better antidepressants.
Abstract
Depression is a chronic, severe, and often life-threatening neurological disorder. It not only causes depression in patients and affects daily life...
Effects of Mild Closed-Head Injury and Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion on Microglia, Axonal Injury, and Synaptic Density in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
International journal of molecular sciences – April 12, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a promising treatment for brain injuries, may actually intensify brain inflammation after mild head trauma. In a groundbreaking experiment, rats receiving ketamine after controlled head impacts showed increased immune cell activity in injured areas. While the impacts caused damage to nerve fibers, surprisingly, connections between brain cells in the visual processing region remained intact. The findings challenge assumptions about ketamine's protective effects, suggesting careful consideration of its use in treating brain injuries.
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects millions of people in the U.S. Approximately 20-30% of those individuals develop adverse symptoms lastin...
Modulating amygdala activation to traumatic memories with a single ketamine infusion
medRxiv Preprint Server – July 07, 2021
Summary
Imagine being able to rewrite distressing memories. Research explored whether a single ketamine infusion, an NMDA receptor antagonist, could help modulate the fear response associated with trauma memories. By activating memories, then administering ketamine, the study aimed to enhance their extinction during reconsolidation. Findings showed ketamine recipients had reduced amygdala and hippocampus activity to trauma memories, suggesting improved extinction learning. This remarkable approach successfully modulated fear responses for at least 30 days, offering a promising path to alter traumatic memories.
Abstract
NMDA receptor antagonists have a vital role in extinction, learning, and reconsolidation processes. During the reconsolidation window, memories are...
Differential Actions of Ketamine on CA3-Prelimbic and CA3-Infralimbic Connection Responsivity Depend on Prior Exposure to Stress.
Behavioural brain research – June 27, 2025
Summary
A single stress event can reshape brain circuits, influencing how potential antidepressants work. Research using a forced swim test found that while hippocampus-prelimbic cortex connections were stress-sensitive, ketamine's beneficial antidepressant-like effects were particularly evident in the infralimbic cortex. Ketamine effectively reversed stress-induced changes in the infralimbic cortex, showing its precise action depends on prior stress.
Abstract
The present study explored the behavioral stressing action of a 15-min forced swim test (FST) session, changes in CA3-medial prefrontal cortex (mPF...
Open-label Prospective, Interventional Study Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Intramuscular Ketamine for Suicidal Ideation in a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Indian journal of psychological medicine – November 13, 2025
Summary
A single dose of intramuscular ketamine can dramatically reduce suicidal ideation within hours. Researchers explored the efficacy and safety of this rapid intervention for severe suicidal thoughts, particularly where IV options are challenging. Using the MADRS-SI scale, adult patients received 0.5 mg/kg intramuscular ketamine. Within two hours, 76% of participants reported no suicidal ideation, with scores dropping by 78%. Most maintained this improvement for a month. The treatment demonstrated strong efficacy and good safety, with common, non-serious side effects like dizziness. This approach offers a promising, fast-acting solution.
Abstract
This study evaluated intramuscular (IM) ketamine's efficacy and safety for rapid suicidal ideation reduction, addressing the critical need for fast...
Effects of serotonergic psychedelics on synaptogenesis and immediate early genes expression - comparison with ketamine, fluoxetine and lithium.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 28, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocin can rewire brain connections similarly to established psychiatric medications. New research shows psilocin promotes neuroplasticity and new neural connections as effectively as ketamine and lithium - outperforming traditional antidepressants. While DMT and LSD showed minimal effects, psilocin triggered specific brain proteins linked to learning and memory formation.
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that psychedelics can induce rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects. The generally acknowledged explanation for the...
Anti-Suicidal Effects of Lithium, Ketamine, and Clozapine-A 10-Year Systematic Review.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – May 18, 2025
Summary
Three widely-used medications show remarkable promise in preventing suicide. Lithium proves especially effective for bipolar patients, outperforming other mood stabilizers. Ketamine offers rapid relief from suicidal thoughts within hours, while clozapine significantly reduces suicide risk in schizophrenia patients. A decade of research confirms these medications save lives, particularly when prescribed early and monitored carefully.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Suicide is a complex issue resulting in approximately 700,000 deaths annually. Individuals with mood disorders or schizophre...
Cognitive flexibility of male rats is increased by augmented punishment in a reversal learning task but ketamine has no detectable long-term effects.
Psychopharmacology – April 22, 2025
Summary
Adding electric shocks to timeouts made rats better at adapting to changing situations, revealing new insights about cognitive flexibility. In this investigation of learning and behavior, researchers tested how rats performed when faced with rewards and punishments, comparing traditional timeout penalties to a combined timeout-shock approach. While the stronger punishment improved the rats' ability to adjust their behavior, the drug ketamine showed no lasting benefits in their learning performance.
Abstract
The probabilistic reversal learning task (PRL) is sometimes used in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD) to assess impairments in cogniti...
Accidental coadministration of medetomidine, vatinoxan and ketamine in a cat.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia – January 01, 2025
Summary
A routine cat surgery took an unexpected turn when a medication mix-up led to an unusual drug interaction. When ketamine was administered after an accidental combination of medetomidine and vatinoxan, the feline patient experienced sudden excitement and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Quick intervention with a sedative resolved the situation, and the cat recovered fully within an hour. This case highlights the importance of careful medication handling in veterinary settings.
Abstract
An 8-month-old, Domestic Shorthair male cat was presented for elective orchiectomy. Preanaesthetic clinical examination was unremarkable. The anaes...
Effectiveness of preoperative ketamine gargle to reduce postoperative sore throat in adult patients undergoing surgery with endotracheal tube; systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
BMC anesthesiology – December 06, 2024
Summary
A simple gargle solution before surgery could cut the risk of post-surgery throat pain in half. When patients undergo general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube, gargling with ketamine beforehand reduces their likelihood of developing a sore throat afterward. Analysis of 17 clinical trials involving 1,552 patients showed this preventive measure was remarkably effective, offering a practical solution to one of surgery's most common complaints.
Abstract
Postoperative sore throat is a frequent and distressing complication caused by airway instrumentation during general anesthesia. The discomfort can...
Efficacy of Low-Dose Ketamine and Propofol in the Treatment of Experimental Refractory Status Epilepticus on Male Rats.
Journal of neuroscience research – November 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in epilepsy treatment shows that combining low doses of ketamine and propofol can effectively control severe seizures. In tests with rats experiencing drug-resistant status epilepticus (triggered by lithium-pilocarpine), the combination therapy worked as well as higher doses of single medications, but with fewer side effects. This approach could offer safer treatment options for difficult-to-treat seizures.
Abstract
Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a condition with serious mortality and morbidity rate, resistant to benzodiazepine and second-line antiepile...
S-ketamine Infusion on Chronic Postoperative Pain Following Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Clinical breast cancer – October 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in post-mastectomy pain management shows promising results. Using advanced anesthesia techniques, doctors found that S-ketamine, which targets N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, significantly reduced chronic pain in breast cancer surgery patients. The treatment cut pain rates from 48% to just 18% after three months, while also improving postoperative depression scores. This multimodal analgesia approach marks a major advance in surgical recovery care.
Abstract
Chronic postoperative surgical pain (CPSP) is a frequent complication following breast surgery and poses a challenge in terms of treatment. We hypo...
The 5-HT1A receptor biased agonists, NLX-204 and NLX-101, like ketamine, elicit rapid-acting antidepressant activity in the rat chronic mild stress model via cortical mechanisms.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – July 01, 2024
Summary
New antidepressant compounds targeting serotonin 5-HT1A receptors show promise in treating depression as quickly as ketamine, but without its concerning side effects. Two novel biased agonists demonstrated rapid mood improvement in rats experiencing chronic mild stress. When delivered directly to the brain's prefrontal cortex, these compounds effectively reduced depression symptoms, anxiety, and memory issues within just one day.
Abstract
The highly selective 5-HT1A serotonin receptor "biased" agonists NLX-101 and NLX-204 display, like ketamine, potent and efficacious rapid-acting an...
Guidelines for ketamine use in clinical psychiatry practice.
BJPsych open – May 10, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, once known only as an anesthetic, is emerging as a breakthrough treatment for severe depressive disorders that don't respond to traditional antidepressants. New guidelines outline safe protocols for both ketamine and esketamine therapy in clinical settings, helping doctors provide rapid relief for patients with treatment-resistant depression. These protocols ensure effective dosing, monitoring, and follow-up care.
Abstract
In this editorial, we emphasise the efficacy and challenges of using ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. We highlight the need for comprehe...
Ketamine in Neurocritical Care: New Potentials and Perspectives.
Cureus – June 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, once controversial in brain injury treatment, emerges as a game-changing medication in neurocritical care. This versatile drug offers unique benefits: it provides effective sedation while protecting brain cells from damage. Beyond its primary role, ketamine shows promising anticonvulsant properties and maintains stable blood pressure in critical patients, making it invaluable for neurological emergencies.
Abstract
Ketamine is an intravenous hypnotic anesthetic that acts primarily by inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, leading to a range of effec...
Can ketamine therapy overcome treatment-resistant depression in Alzheimer's disease and older adults? Preclinical and clinical evidence.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – July 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promising results in elderly patients who haven't responded to traditional depression treatments. This rapid-acting medication helps both older adults and those with Alzheimer's disease experience significant mood improvements. Studies reveal that ketamine and its derivative esketamine work differently than standard antidepressants, targeting brain receptors that may be key to treating late-life depression.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents substantial clinical challenges, particularly in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and older adu...
Intravenous Ketamine Infusion for Managing Chronic Postoperative Pain After Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A Case Report.
Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy – April 30, 2025
Summary
Monthly ketamine infusions provided dramatic relief for a patient suffering from severe chronic pain after hernia surgery. By targeting NMDA receptors and reducing central sensitization, ketamine helped restore mobility and function when standard pain medications failed. This innovative approach offers hope for managing stubborn postoperative pain with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a debilitating condition that affects up to 50% of patients after procedures like inguinal herniorrhaphy, signi...
Ketamine for unipolar depression: A systematic review of efficacy and safety.
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – June 01, 2025
Summary
Within hours of treatment, ketamine can lift severe depression symptoms when traditional medications fail. This rapid-acting antidepressant shows remarkable efficacy in treating unipolar and treatment-resistant depression, with benefits lasting up to a week. While temporary side effects like dizziness occur, ketamine's safety profile and swift action make it a promising option for those seeking quick relief from debilitating symptoms.
Abstract
BackgroundUnipolar depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with persistent, treatment-resistant symptoms. Traditional antidepressants take...
Opioids diminish the placebo antidepressant response: Observational post hoc findings from a randomized controlled ketamine trial.
Journal of affective disorders – July 15, 2025
Summary
Regular opioid use may reduce the effectiveness of placebo treatments for depression, while ketamine's antidepressant effects remain strong. This finding emerged from analyzing surgical patients with depression, some taking opioids. Those on opioids showed weaker responses to placebo treatments, but ketamine's mood-lifting benefits weren't affected. The results suggest opioid medications might interfere with the brain's natural ability to benefit from placebo effects in depression treatment.
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system is thought to play a role in the placebo antidepressant response. A recent trial comparing the rapid antidepressant ef...
Rapid Hippocampal Synaptic Potentiation Induced by Ketamine Metabolite ( 2R , 6R )-Hydroxynorketamine Persistently Primes Synaptic Plasticity.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – October 22, 2024
Summary
A ketamine metabolite shows promise in rapidly boosting brain connectivity without ketamine's side effects. This compound, HNK, enhances communication between neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region vital for mood regulation. It works by activating specific cellular pathways that strengthen neural connections, leading to lasting improvements in brain plasticity - all without requiring the same mechanisms that cause ketamine's adverse effects.
Abstract
The pharmacologically active ( R , S )-ketamine (ketamine) metabolite ( 2R , 6R )-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) maintains ketamine's preclinical antidep...
Abnormal resting-state functional connectivity of the right anterior cingulate cortex in chronic ketamine users and its correlation with cognitive impairments.
Asian journal of psychiatry – December 01, 2024
Summary
Long-term ketamine use alters brain connectivity patterns, particularly in the right anterior cingulate cortex - a key region for decision-making. Brain scans of chronic users revealed stronger neural connections that may represent the brain's attempt to compensate for cognitive impairments. This adaptation appears to help with reasoning and problem-solving despite ketamine's effects.
Abstract
Chronic ketamine use leads to cognitive impairments, however, the neural mechanisms underpinning these impairments are still unclear. Many studies ...
Ketamine ameliorates post-traumatic social avoidance by erasing the traumatic memory encoded in VTA-innervated BLA engram cells.
Neuron – September 25, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating trauma by targeting specific brain cells that store fearful memories. Scientists found that a single low dose of ketamine, given during memory recall, reduced social anxiety in traumatized mice by altering memory engram cells in the basolateral amygdala. This process works through dopamine D2 receptors and may offer new hope for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.
Abstract
Erasing traumatic memory during memory reconsolidation is a promising retrieval-extinction strategy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here...
Efficacy of addition of the anti-inflammatory, IV glutathione to standard ketamine IV therapy in major depressive disorder.
Psychiatry research – July 01, 2024
Summary
A promising depression treatment combining ketamine with glutathione shows how fighting inflammation may help mood disorders. While ketamine alone helps treatment-resistant depression by promoting neuroplasticity, adding the antioxidant glutathione aimed to reduce oxidative stress that often accompanies major depressive disorder. In a 30-person trial, both approaches significantly improved symptoms for two weeks post-treatment.
Abstract
Ketamine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Recent studies have shown that there are incr...
Should Subanesthetic Ketamine be Considered When Managing Opioid Refractory Cancer Pain?
Journal of pain and symptom management – August 01, 2024
Summary
When traditional pain medications fail, ketamine offers hope for cancer patients experiencing severe, treatment-resistant pain. Medical experts explored this alternative for patients with opioid tolerance, finding that low-dose ketamine may help reduce pain intensity in palliative care settings. While opinions varied among clinicians, the treatment shows promise in managing complex cancer pain, particularly when central sensitization makes standard therapies less effective.
Abstract
In the cancer pain setting, ketamine has been typically employed as a co-analgesic for opioid refractory and neuropathic pain. One controversial to...
Very Low-Dose Sublingual Ketamine for Borderline Personality Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
Cureus – April 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment approach using low dose ketamine shows remarkable promise for patients struggling with both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and treatment resistant depression (TRD). By targeting glutamate dysregulation and enhancing neuroplasticity through AMPA receptor activation, sublingual ketamine helped improve mood and emotional stability. The treatment increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor, leading to significant symptom reduction and better quality of life.
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are common mental disorders that are challenging to treat. Ketamine ...
Drug dependence and prescribing ketamine for treatment-resistant depression in Australia and New Zealand.
The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry – October 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating severe depression, but its history as a recreational drug creates unique challenges. While regulations in Australia and New Zealand allow ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, restrictions vary by region - especially for patients with past drug dependence. Current evidence suggests careful prescribing can help balance treatment benefits with dependency risks.
Abstract
Ketamine is a restricted and regulated medication in Australia and New Zealand, which has implications when considering treatment for patients with...
Implementation of a ketamine programme for treatment-resistant depression in the public health system: Lessons from the first Australian public hospital clinic.
The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry – July 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking public hospital program in Australia has made ketamine treatment accessible to patients with severe depression who couldn't afford private care. The initiative demonstrated successful implementation of ketamine therapy in a public healthcare setting, helping patients who hadn't responded to traditional treatments. The program established protocols, safety measures, and delivery methods that other public hospitals can now replicate, marking a significant step toward making innovative mental health treatments available to all.
Abstract
One could argue that we are living through a period of innovation and change in psychiatry unlike that seen before, with repurposed medications eme...
Acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans: A TD-fNIRS neuroimaging study
bioRxiv Preprint Server – January 06, 2023
Summary
Quantifying neural activity during psychedelics in a clinical setting can unlock personalized treatments. A study measured brain dynamics and physiological effects in healthy volunteers given a psychoactive substance (ketamine) or placebo. Ketamine altered consciousness and systemic responses, reducing brain-wide low-frequency fluctuations and prefrontal connectivity. Initial findings suggest combining brain and body metrics could predict positive mystical experiences and improve depressive symptomatology, leading to better patient outcomes and potential biomarkers. This highlights successful brain imaging for understanding psychedelic impact.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Effects of nitrous oxide and ketamine on the prefrontal cortex in mice: a comparative study
bioRxiv Preprint Server – September 19, 2022
Summary
Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) shows promise as a rapid antidepressant. Scientists investigated its brain effects in mice, comparing them to ketamine. Both drugs altered gene activity in the prefrontal cortex, impacting pathways regulating brain cells. Remarkably, nitrous oxide's influence on gene expression was far more widespread. While ketamine boosted neuron firing, nitrous oxide did not, indicating distinct brain responses and mechanisms, despite some shared genetic impacts.
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has recently been reported as a putative rapid-acting antidepressant, but little is known about the underlying me...
S-ketamine versus placebo for cortical spreading depolarisation in severe acute brain injury (KETA-BID): protocol for a pilot, randomised, blinded clinical trial.
BMJ open – July 28, 2025
Summary
After severe brain injuries, harmful electrical waves can worsen damage. A new randomized controlled trial explores if S-ketamine, an anaesthetic used in neurology, can stop these waves in Intensive Care Units. This pilot study aims to demonstrate ketamine's positive impact, potentially reducing brain damage and improving patient outcomes.
Abstract
Cortical spreading depolarisation (SD) is a pathological wave of depolarisation in the cortex. SDs occur frequently after severe acute brain injury...
High-frequency oscillations in the mammalian brain after ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – July 24, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, known for its rapid antidepressant effects, triggers distinct brain activity. It significantly enhances high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), a type of LFP signal, across brain networks. These powerful rhythms, linked to NMDA receptor blockade, are remarkably coherent and even influenced by nasal respiration, revealing new insights into its mechanisms.
Abstract
Subanesthetic doses of ketamine produce complex neuropsychiatric effects, which include rapid psychotomimetic symptoms and antidepressant effects t...
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing PROpofol versus KetaMINE in rapid sequence intubation in critically ill patients (PROMINE): protocol paper and statistical analysis plan.
Critical care science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Choosing the safest medication for critically ill patients needing breathing tube insertion is a critical decision. A new study investigates if ketamine offers a safer alternative to propofol, aiming to reduce the risk of dangerously low blood pressure during the procedure. Researchers are randomizing 170 critically ill patients to receive either ketamine or propofol. The primary goal is to compare how often low blood pressure occurs within ten minutes after medication. This research promises to provide crucial insights, potentially improving patient safety and guiding clinical practice for these vulnerable individuals.
Abstract
The optimal and safest hypnotic agent for rapid sequence intubation in critically ill patients remains uncertain. Factors such as hypovolemia, vaso...
The use of ketamine as an antidepressant: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – April 07, 2015
Summary
A meta-analysis of 21 studies, involving 437 patients, reveals a single ketamine infusion can significantly alleviate major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder symptoms within 4 hours, lasting up to 7 days. Originally an anesthesia medicine, ketamine shows powerful antidepressant effects. Repeat infusions yielded larger effect sizes for treatment of Major Depression. The percentage of males predicted antidepressant response at 7 days. This internal medicine and psychology research highlights ketamine's promise in mental health research topics; future placebo-controlled studies will clarify its long-term efficacy for bipolar disorder and treatment.
Abstract
Objective The current meta‐analysis examines the effects of ketamine infusion on depressive symptoms over time in major depressive disorder (MDD) a...
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and intravenous ketamine combination therapy for treatment-resistant bipolar depression: A case report
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 21, 2022
Summary
A novel combination therapy shows promise for severe depression. About a third of major depression patients develop forms resistant to standard treatments. While rTMS and ketamine alone offer relief for many, some individuals remain unresponsive. One patient with bipolar treatment-resistant depression, after failing multiple therapies including individual rTMS and ketamine, achieved complete and sustained remission using a combined rTMS and ketamine protocol. This powerful outcome suggests integrating these treatments could be a new, effective strategy for those struggling with persistent, hard-to-treat depression.
Abstract
About a third of patients suffering from major depression develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although repetitive transcranial magnetic s...
Ketamine as an NMDA-modulating therapy in bipolar disorder: rationale and evidence
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 04, 2026
Summary
Ketamine and its S-enantiomer esketamine show promise as rapid-acting treatments for bipolar depression, achieving significant symptom improvement within hours. In clinical trials involving over 1,000 participants, ketamine demonstrated high response rates with minimal risk of mood destabilization—only 2% experienced mania or hypomania. Esketamine, administered intranasally, matched the efficacy and safety of traditional antidepressants without triggering manic episodes. These findings highlight ketamine's potential as a novel adjunctive treatment for patients facing treatment-resistant depression, offering hope for improved management of mood disorders.
Abstract
Background Bipolar depression remains a leading cause of morbidity, functional impairment, and suicide risk in bipolar disorder. Conventional pharm...