1731 results for "Ketamine"
A Systematic Review on Ketamine and Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidality in Adolescents: A New Hope?
Children (Basel, Switzerland) – June 29, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough treatments offer new hope for teens battling severe depression. Recent findings show ketamine and esketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts and improve symptoms in adolescents with treatment-resistant depression. These medications work within hours, unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks. Studies reveal up to 40% of depressed teens don't respond to standard treatments, making these fast-acting alternatives particularly promising for youth mental health.
Abstract
Treating depression in adolescents is a significant challenge, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation and treatment-resistant d...
Hype or hope? High placebo response in major depression treatment with ketamine and esketamine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Surprising finding: Up to 72% of the antidepressant effect seen with ketamine and esketamine may be attributed to placebo response. These promising psychoactive medications, which work as NMDA-receptor antagonists, have shown remarkable results in treating major depression (MDD). Analysis of 1,100 patients revealed that while both drugs are effective, positive treatment expectations play a crucial role in their success.
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine offer a novel approach in the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). This meta-analysis aimed to inv...
Postnatal functional inactivation of the ventral subiculum enhances dopaminergic responses in the core part of the nucleus accumbens following ketamine injection in adult rats
arXiv Preprint Archive – November 22, 2020
Summary
Early disruption of specific brain circuits can dramatically alter how the brain responds to ketamine later in life, revealing important clues about schizophrenia's origins. Scientists found that rats with early-life changes to a brain region called the ventral subiculum showed heightened dopamine responses and increased activity when given ketamine as adults. This suggests early brain development plays a key role in later psychiatric vulnerability.
Abstract
For almost two decades schizophrenia has been considered to be a functional disconnection disorder. This functional disconnectivity between several...
Ketamine Produces a Long-Lasting Enhancement of CA1 Neuron Excitability
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 26, 2021
Summary
Ketamine surprisingly boosts brain cell activity for days. The aim was to understand how this compound achieves its rapid, lasting antidepressant benefits at a cellular level. Investigations examined individual neurons and their networks, tracking effect duration and the role of specific brain receptors. It was discovered that the compound significantly enhances the excitability of particular brain cells, a positive effect persisting for days. This beneficial change is strongly linked to its interaction with key brain receptors, offering a clearer picture of its therapeutic mechanism.
Abstract
Background Ketamine is a clinical anaesthetic and a fast-acting, long-lasting antidepressant. Ketamine is known for its antagonistic actions on N-m...
Brain-epigenome wide association study (BEWAS) on the effects of two emerging psychedelics: ketamine & MDMA
bioRxiv Preprint Server – July 03, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA induce lasting changes in brain gene activity. These compounds alter how genes are turned on or off, impacting pathways crucial for neuroplasticity and immune function. Both show positive effects on mental processes, suggesting a shared molecular basis for their therapeutic potential in psychiatric health.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds such as ketamine and MDMA have shown therapeutic promise for mood and trauma-related disorders, yet their molecular mechanism...
Converging pathways: shared brain circuitry engaged by monoaminergic antidepressants, ketamine and psilocybin
OpenAlex – May 30, 2025
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid relief for Major Depression, often within a single day, unlike traditional monoaminergic antidepressants requiring weeks. Neuroscience investigations in mice reveal a shared limbic brain circuit crucial for antidepressant efficacy. While Ketamine and high-dose Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, acutely activate key frontal brain regions, standard monoaminergic drugs and Psilocybin microdosing require chronic administration to achieve similar activation. This insight from Psychedelics and Drug Studies informs Psychiatry and Medicine, explaining delayed effects and advancing our understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior in treating Major Depression.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine has transformed depression treatment by providing therapeutic relief within a single day, unlike monoaminergic antidepressants th...
The psychotomimetic ketamine disrupts the transfer of late sensory information in the corticothalamic network
bioRxiv Preprint Server – February 21, 2022
Summary
The brain's ability to process sensory information is crucial, yet conditions like early schizophrenia disrupt this. Research using ketamine, which mimics these symptoms, reveals how sensory perception is impaired. In rats, the drug alters brain rhythms and connectivity, specifically disrupting the transfer of perceptual data within the brain's somatosensory networks. This clarifies how NMDA receptor antagonism interferes with the brain's ability to integrate what it perceives.
Abstract
In prodromal and early schizophrenia, disorders of attention and perception are associated with structural and chemical brain abnormalities, and wi...
The therapeutic potential of psilocybin beyond psychedelia through shared mechanisms with ketamine.
Molecular psychiatry – July 07, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, rapid-acting compounds can relieve severe depressive disorder symptoms in mere hours. A synthesis of clinical and preclinical findings reveals that while ketamine and psilocybin target different brain systems, both significantly enhance brain plasticity. This shared therapeutic mechanism, promoting new neural connections, is key to their sustained antidepressant effects. Understanding how these systems converge could lead to fast, durable, non-hallucinogenic treatments.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a debilitating condition, with many patients unresponsive to conventional monoaminergic antidepressants. Rapid-acting ...
Tusi: a new ketamine concoction complicating the drug landscape.
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse – September 03, 2023
Summary
"Pink cocaine," or tusi, often contains no cocaine. This emerging street drug complicates the club drugs landscape. Analysis shows it's predominantly ketamine, frequently mixed with other new psychoactive substances like MDMA. This mislabeling risks users unaware of its contents and challenges researchers. Understanding tusi's true composition is vital for public safety and accurate data.
Abstract
A drug concoction called tusi has emerged in Latin America and in Europe and is now beginning to acquire popularity in the United States. "Tusi" is...
Ketamine for depression: a potential role in requests for Medical Aid in Dying?
International clinical psychopharmacology – September 01, 2023
Summary
Access to Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) for psychiatric conditions is rising, with mood disorders being the most common reason. A notable case involved a Canadian patient seeking MAiD due to severe treatment-resistant depression. Remarkably, after receiving intravenous ketamine infusions, she experienced significant improvement, challenging the notion of irremediability in such cases. This suggests that exploring alternative treatments like ketamine could be crucial before considering MAiD, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of psychiatric requests for assisted dying.
Abstract
Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) is the act of a healthcare provider ending a patient's life, at their request, due to unbearable suffering from a griev...
Ketamine and Esketamine Therapy in Affective Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, Safety, and Future Directions
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 28, 2026
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine offer rapid relief for patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), showing effects within hours. In clinical trials, intravenous ketamine demonstrated significant effectiveness, while intranasal esketamine received approval for acute suicidal ideation. Approximately one-third of patients typically fail standard antidepressant treatments. Though these glutamatergic modulators represent a promising shift from traditional monoaminergic therapies, they require careful monitoring due to potential adverse effects like dissociation and sedation. Continued investigation is essential to ensure long-term safety and effective maintenance strategies in psychiatric care.
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Depression represent significant global health burdens because about one-third of patients who receive ...
THE ROLE OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF KETAMINE
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 08, 2025
Summary
Pharmaceutical care plays a crucial role in the safe use of ketamine, especially during its therapeutic applications for major depression. An analysis of 50 studies revealed that while ketamine is effective for treatment, it carries risks, including adverse effects like dissociation and increased blood pressure in up to 30% of patients. Pharmacists can significantly enhance patient safety by monitoring these effects and providing guidance on proper dosage and adherence. This support is vital, particularly in the context of healthcare challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract
The present work aims to analyze the role of pharmaceutical care in the therapeutic use of ketamine, considering its clinical applications, risks, ...
A Case of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy After Ketamine Infusion.
Cureus – May 01, 2024
Summary
A concerning cardiac reaction to IV ketamine therapy highlights potential risks of this promising depression treatment. A patient developed stress-induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction shortly after receiving ketamine infusion. Cardiac imaging-MRI revealed temporary heart muscle weakness, likely due to catecholamine-induced myocardial toxicity. The patient recovered fully with supportive care.
Abstract
We report the case of a 64-year-old female with a history of hypothyroidism and isolated parotid sarcoidosis who presented with acute-onset chest p...
Oral Ketamine for the Treatment of Depression: A randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis
medRxiv Preprint Server – March 21, 2025
Summary
Treating depression at home could soon be a reality. Research explored oral ketamine as an accessible alternative to current clinic-based options. A randomized trial and comprehensive meta-analysis found this oral treatment to be effective and well-tolerated. This suggests a promising, convenient option for managing depression, potentially expanding treatment access for many.
Abstract
Background Ketamine represents a significant advancement in antidepressant therapy, but the commonly used intravenous and intranasal application ro...
A qualitative study of emergency nurses’ perspectives on intranasal ketamine for procedural sedation in children
medRxiv Preprint Server – May 16, 2024
Summary
Imagine a less invasive way to sedate children for medical procedures. Nurses' insights are crucial for new methods like intranasal ketamine. A qualitative study explored emergency nurses' perspectives, revealing they largely found it beneficial for pediatric sedation, citing ease of administration and patient comfort. These findings strongly support its use and inform clinical guidelines for children's care.
Abstract
Purpose There is mounting evidence supporting a role for intranasal (IN) ketamine for procedural sedation in children due to its less invasive deli...
Ketamine Versus Electroconvulsive Therapy for the Treatment of Depression: A Guide for Clinicians.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – April 01, 2025
Summary
When traditional antidepressants fail, two powerful options emerge: ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy. Both treatments show remarkable success for treatment-resistant depression, with distinct advantages. Ketamine offers rapid relief with fewer side effects, while electroconvulsive therapy remains highly effective for severe major depressive disorder. Patient-centered factors like medical history and lifestyle help determine the best choice.
Abstract
The effective treatment of major depressive disorder remains one of the biggest public health challenges globally. For moderate to severe cases, ph...
Body mass index is associated with the antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in patients with depression.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Higher body weight may boost ketamine's mood-lifting effects. In a clinical trial, patients with higher body mass index showed stronger improvements when treated with intravenous ketamine for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Those with above-average BMI experienced a 67% response rate, compared to 51% in lower-weight individuals, suggesting weight could influence treatment outcomes.
Abstract
We aimed to explore the correlation between baseline body mass index (BMI) and the antidepressant properties of intravenous ketamine in patients wi...
Exploring the Efficacy of Ketamine as an Anesthetic and Antidepressant in Postpartum Depression: A Case Study Analysis.
Cureus – February 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used in anesthesia, shows remarkable potential in preventing postpartum depression. In a groundbreaking case, a mother who received ketamine during two C-section deliveries experienced no depression symptoms, while her other two births without ketamine led to significant postnatal depression. This suggests ketamine could serve as both an anesthetic and protective agent for maternal mental health, offering a single-treatment approach that's more efficient than traditional anti-depressants.
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a common mental health disorder that affects women within six months after giving birth. It is characterized by sadness, a...
S-ketamine in patient-controlled analgesia reduces opioid consumption in a dose-dependent manner after major lumbar fusion surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
medRxiv Preprint Server – January 22, 2021
Summary
Managing severe pain after major spinal fusion surgery often leads to high opioid use. A clinical trial investigated if adding S-ketamine to patient-controlled pain relief could reduce this. Participants were randomly given different S-ketamine doses or a placebo. The results clearly demonstrated that S-ketamine significantly reduced opioid consumption in a dose-dependent manner, offering a promising strategy to manage postoperative pain with fewer strong painkillers.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal fusion surgery causes severe pain. Strong opioids, commonly used as postoperative analgesics, may have unwanted side effects. S-k...
A neuron model with unbalanced synaptic weights explains asymmetric effects of ketamine in auditory cortex
bioRxiv Preprint Server – June 12, 2022
Summary
Anesthetics, vital for surgery, surprisingly alter how the brain processes sound. Research revealed that ketamine anesthesia uniquely suppressed brain responses to communication sounds, but not echolocation, in the auditory cortex. This asymmetry occurs because ketamine selectively reduces sensitivity to high-frequency sounds and alters nerve cell adaptation. This finding shows ketamine doesn't uniformly quiet brain activity; it unbalances how different sound frequencies are processed, fundamentally reshaping auditory responses.
Abstract
Although new advances in neuroscience allow the study of vocal communication in awake animals, substantial progress in the processing of vocalizati...
Preoperative sedation with intravenous S-ketamine versus midazolam in preschool children: a randomized controlled trial.
BMC anesthesiology – November 21, 2025
Summary
Untreated anxiety before surgery can complicate care for children. To improve this, intravenous premedication with S-ketamine was compared to Midazolam in preschool children. Both drugs effectively reduced preoperative stress. Positively, S-ketamine led to significantly deeper sedation shortly after administration. While S-ketamine resulted in a slightly longer emergence time, both options showed similar benefits for parent separation and mask compliance, offering valuable insights for pediatric anesthesia.
Abstract
Effective management of preoperative anxiety is paramount in pediatric anesthesia, as untreated preoperative anxiety often leads to adverse clinica...
The Postoperative Lidocaine and Ketamine Effects on Morphine Requirement in Bariatric Surgery.
Obesity surgery – April 01, 2025
Summary
Innovative pain management after weight-loss surgery shows promise: combining lidocaine and ketamine with multimodal anesthesia reduced pain medication needs significantly. In a breakthrough for metabolic bariatric surgery, 62.5% of patients needed no morphine in the first 48 hours post-surgery. This approach to postoperative pain control offers a safer alternative to traditional opioid-based methods.
Abstract
Effective postoperative pain management in patients with obesity undergoing metabolic bariatric surgery is challenging due to the adverse effects a...
Variations in BDNF and Their Role in the Neurotrophic Antidepressant Mechanisms of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Review.
International journal of molecular sciences – December 05, 2024
Summary
A protein called BDNF acts like brain fertilizer, helping neurons grow and connect. Recent findings show that ketamine and esketamine can rapidly boost BDNF levels in people with treatment-resistant depression, leading to significant mood improvements within hours. While traditional antidepressants take weeks to work, these newer treatments help restore brain connections quickly, offering hope for patients with major depressive disorder who haven't responded to other therapies.
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for neuroplasticity, synaptic transmission, and neuronal survival. Studies have implicated it ...
Cannabidiol or ketamine for preventing the impact of adolescent early drug initiation on voluntary ethanol consumption in adulthood.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Early exposure to alcohol during adolescence can significantly increase drinking habits in adulthood, but promising treatments may help prevent this pattern. Research with rodent models revealed that teenage alcohol exposure acts as a key addiction risk factor, leading to higher voluntary alcohol consumption later in life, regardless of sex differences. While cocaine exposure alone didn't affect future drinking, cannabidiol showed promise in reducing alcohol intake in both males and females, with ketamine offering additional benefits for females. These therapeutical options could help prevent alcohol use disorder development in vulnerable populations.
Abstract
Few studies have previously evaluated the long-term impact of initiating the combined use of alcohol and cocaine early-in-life during adolescence. ...
Alfentanil versus fentanyl for emergency department rapid sequence induction with ketamine: A-FAKT, a pilot randomized trial.
The American journal of emergency medicine – October 01, 2024
Summary
When emergency doctors need to quickly sedate patients for intubation, choosing the right pain medication matters. A comparison of two powerful opioids - alfentanil and fentanyl - showed both perform similarly well when combined with ketamine during rapid sequence induction. Neither drug showed significant advantages in preventing dangerous blood pressure swings or complications. Both maintained stable vital signs and achieved successful intubation rates.
Abstract
Fentanyl is often administered during rapid sequence induction of anesthesia (RSI) in the emergency department (ED) to ameliorate the hypertensive ...
Effectiveness of buccal administration of dexmedetomidine and ketamine combination in paediatric dental sedation: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
International journal of paediatric dentistry – March 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in pediatric dental care shows that combining two sedative medications can help anxious children receive treatment more comfortably. When administered through the cheek (buccal route), a mix of dexmedetomidine and ketamine proved highly effective for sedating uncooperative children during dental procedures. The combined approach led to easier treatments and faster recovery times compared to using dexmedetomidine alone, while maintaining excellent safety.
Abstract
Pain and anxiety can be considerable obstacles while treating paediatric dental patients. Moderate sedation is needed to treat uncooperative patien...
Role of Electroconvulsive Therapy, Ketamine Infusion, and Deep Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: A Case Report.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – June 03, 2024
Summary
When standard treatments fail for severe bipolar depression, innovative therapies offer hope. A patient who experienced memory issues with electroconvulsive therapy and showed limited improvement with ketamine infusion ultimately achieved lasting stability through deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. This success story highlights promising alternatives for treatment-resistant bipolar depression.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Options for treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBPD) are limited. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has shown effica...
Fabrication of a Controlled-Release Core-Shell Floating Tablet of Ketamine Hydrochloride Using a 3D Printing Technique for Management of Refractory Depressions and Chronic Pain.
Polymers – March 08, 2024
Summary
3D printing technology is revolutionizing drug delivery with personalized medicine solutions. Scientists successfully created floating tablets that release ketamine gradually over 12 hours, offering new hope for treating depression and chronic pain. Using advanced additive manufacturing, researchers developed a tablet with a special shell that controls drug release while floating in the stomach. This breakthrough enables customized dosing and extended release timing for individual patient needs.
Abstract
In this study, a novel floating, controlled-release and core-shell oral tablet of ketamine hydrochloride (HCl) was produced using a dual extrusion ...
Green Analytical Toxicology procedure for determination of ketamine, its metabolites and analogues in oral fluid samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME).
Journal of analytical toxicology – June 11, 2024
Summary
Dangerous ketamine analogues and their metabolites can now be accurately detected in oral fluid using a new, environmentally friendly method. This innovative technique, employing miniaturized extraction, demonstrated high precision (imprecision under 8.2%) and accuracy (bias under 9.5%). It successfully analyzed 29 authentic oral fluid samples, showing excellent selectivity against 42 other drugs. With a detection limit of 10 ng/mL, this robust tool offers a vital, green approach to identify these illicit substances, enhancing public safety and forensic analysis.
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are often synthesized via small changes in the molecular structure, producing drugs whose effect and potency are ...
Long-Term Efficacy of Combination Therapy of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Ketamine for Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression
CNS Spectrums – April 01, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, all 28 patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression achieved substantial, lasting symptom relief by combining brain stimulation (TMS) with ketamine infusions. These individuals, including 18 with unipolar and 10 with bipolar depression, underwent 10-30 sessions of this novel therapy. Their average symptom severity score dropped by 4.46 points, an improvement sustained for at least two years. This combined approach offers a promising new avenue for individuals struggling with persistent depression.
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment for many psychiatric illnesse...
KETAMINE COMBINED WITH DEXTROMETHORPHAN-BUPROPION FOR DEPRESSION IN THE CONTEXT OF NITROUS OXIDE MISUSE
International Journal of Advanced Research – October 31, 2025
Summary
Up to one-third of patients with major depressive disorder struggle with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A 27-year-old man, facing escalating nitrous oxide use after a family tragedy, experienced significant depressive symptoms. In just two weeks, he underwent a rapid-acting treatment combining ketamine and dextromethorphan-bupropion, alongside naltrexone to manage cravings. Remarkably, he achieved complete abstinence from nitrous oxide and reported reduced irritability and improved mood. This case illustrates the potential of NMDA receptor antagonists in transforming maladaptive behaviors into effective therapeutic strategies.
Abstract
Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects up to a third of patients with major depressive disorder and remains difficult to manage w...
Neurotoxicity Associated with Ketamine: An Antidepressant with Potential Risks
Theoretical and Natural Science – December 24, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, while celebrated for its rapid antidepressant effects, poses significant risks of neurotoxicity, particularly with long-term or high-dose use. A review highlights that among patients treated for intractable depression, 30% experienced cognitive decline and increased addiction risk. The drug’s mechanism involves NMDA receptor antagonism, but this can also lead to nerve tissue damage and mental health issues. Balancing its therapeutic benefits with neurological safety remains a critical challenge, necessitating further exploration of dose-toxicity relationships and neuroprotective strategies in clinical settings.
Abstract
Ketamine is a traditional anesthetic, which has attracted much attention in recent years for its rapid antidepressant effect. It has performed part...
Trial Sequential Analysis and Meta-analysis of Intranasal Ketamine Versus Intranasal Opioids for Analgesia in Paediatric Patients.
Annals of neurosciences – March 01, 2025
Summary
Intranasal ketamine offers a needle-free option for pain relief in children, rivaling traditional opioid medications. Analysis of data from nearly 500 pediatric patients showed comparable pain control between ketamine and opioids when delivered through the nose. While both treatments effectively reduced pain, ketamine users experienced more side effects like dizziness. This research helps doctors better understand medication choices for young patients needing analgesia.
Abstract
Ketamine (KT) is known to have analgesic and sedative effects. Intranasal (IN)/inhalational KT has been used in different trials involving paediatr...
Low-Dose Sublingual Ketamine for the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon.
Cureus – January 01, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine shows promise for people suffering from cold-triggered numbness and color changes in their fingers. When administered under the tongue, this treatment improved blood flow and reduced tingling in extremities. Patients experienced better skin texture, enhanced circulation, and decreased sensitivity to cold - offering a potential alternative to traditional anti-inflammatory drugs for managing Raynaud's phenomena.
Abstract
Raynaud's phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by episodic vasospasm of small arteries, primarily affecting the hands and feet. Standard...
Low-dose ketamine for acute pain: A narrative review.
The American journal of emergency medicine – December 01, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine offers a powerful alternative to traditional pain medications in emergency and prehospital settings. Military and civilian healthcare providers have found that small amounts of ketamine provide effective analgesia for acute pain, with fewer risks than opioids. When used alone or alongside other pain treatments, ketamine helps patients achieve comfort safely, whether administered in ambulances or emergency departments.
Abstract
Acute pain management is a critical component of prehospital and emergency medical care. Opioids are effective; however, the risks and side-effects...
Residual Depressive Symptoms in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression Following Short-Term Ketamine Administration.
Drugs - real world outcomes – December 01, 2024
Summary
Despite showing promise in treating bipolar depression, ketamine therapy still leaves some patients with lingering symptoms. In a Polish medical center study, patients received ketamine infusions while continuing their regular medications. Though most patients saw significant improvement, common residual symptoms included persistent sadness, negative outlook, and sleep problems. The findings highlight ketamine's effectiveness while identifying specific symptoms that may need additional attention.
Abstract
Residual symptoms are frequently observed in a significant number of patients with depression, indicating an unmet need for effective management st...
Acute ketamine enhances social behavior and dendritic plasticity in the amygdala by increasing BDNF, GAP43, and TRKB presence following excitotoxic neonatal ibotenic acid lesion.
Neurochemistry international – July 01, 2025
Summary
Boosting brain cell connections could be key to overcoming social isolation. A single dose of Ketamine remarkably improved social behavior in a model mimicking schizophrenia-related social deficits. It enhanced brain plasticity by increasing BDNF, GAP43, and TRKB proteins. This suggests Ketamine may alleviate social isolation, potentially aiding treatment engagement.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a highly disabling psychopathology that is a significant burden on public health systems and is characterized by both positive and...
Successful Treatment of Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder) With Subdissociative Dose Ketamine in the Emergency Department.
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open – October 01, 2025
Summary
Patients with functional neurologic disorder (FND) often face prolonged suffering and misdiagnosis. One individual with FND, also known as conversion disorder, experienced remarkable, rapid relief in the emergency department. After conventional treatments failed, a subdissociative dose of intravenous ketamine quickly resolved their symptoms, allowing prompt discharge. This highlights ketamine as a safe, effective intervention for acute functional neurologic disorder.
Abstract
Functional neurologic disorder (FND) is a neuropsychiatric condition that causes psychosomatic symptoms-commonly pain, paralysis, and seizure-like ...
Salvinorin A fails to substitute for the discriminative stimulus effects of LSD or ketamine in Sprague-Dawley rats.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – September 01, 2010
Summary
The brain processes hallucinogens like Salvinorin A differently than LSD or ketamine. To explore this, rats were trained to distinguish LSD or ketamine from a control. When given Salvinorin A, the rats did not perceive its effects as similar to either LSD or ketamine. This highlights Salvinorin A's distinct pharmacological profile, setting it apart from more traditional hallucinogenic compounds.
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a small perennial shrub that has gained recent popularity among the drug-using subculture as a legal alternative to hallucinoge...
Extended-release ketamine tablets for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.
Nature medicine – July 01, 2024
Summary
A new oral ketamine tablet shows promise in fighting severe depression, with patients able to take the medication safely at home. In this groundbreaking trial, participants who initially responded well to the treatment received different doses over 12 weeks. The highest dose (180mg) proved most effective, reducing depression scores significantly compared to placebo and cutting relapse rates by nearly half. The treatment was well-tolerated, causing only mild side effects like headaches and dizziness, without the serious complications sometimes seen with other ketamine forms.
Abstract
Ketamine has rapid-onset antidepressant activity in patients with treatment-resistant major depression (TRD). The safety and tolerability of racemi...
Ketamine Produces Antidepressant Effects by Inhibiting Histone Deacetylases and Upregulating Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in a Diisopropyl Fluorophosphate-Based Rat Model of Gulf War Illness.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – January 17, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating Gulf War veterans' depression by boosting vital brain proteins. The drug works by adjusting chemical tags on DNA, increasing levels of BDNF - a protein crucial for brain health. Tests in rats revealed ketamine restored normal brain cell connections and improved mood-related brain changes linked to Gulf War exposure. This breakthrough suggests a new treatment path for veterans struggling with Gulf War Illness.
Abstract
Approximately one-third of Gulf War veterans suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI), which encompasses mood disorders and depressive symptoms. Deployme...
Resolution of Refractory Status Epilepticus With Ketamine Without Intubation in a Patient With Stroke-Like Migraine Attacks After Radiation Therapy (SMART) Syndrome.
Case reports in neurological medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in treating severe seizures: Ketamine successfully halted persistent seizures in a radiation therapy patient without requiring invasive breathing support. The patient, previously treated for brain cancer, developed SMART syndrome - a rare condition causing migraines and seizures years after radiation. When standard medications failed to control the status epilepticus, ketamine proved remarkably effective, offering a safer treatment option.
Abstract
Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is an infrequently reported complication arising years after radiation therap...
Distinct synaptic mechanisms drive the behavioral response to acute stress and rapid correction by ketamine.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – November 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects work differently than previously thought. Scientists discovered that while stress reduces glutamate signaling in the brain's hippocampus, ketamine doesn't simply reverse this process. Instead, it creates new pathways to improve mood, even while stress-induced changes persist. This insight reveals how antidepressants may mask symptoms rather than directly fix underlying neural changes.
Abstract
Prevailing hypotheses on the mechanisms of antidepressant action posit that antidepressants directly counteract deficiencies in major neurotransmit...
Psychiatric and legal considerations for ketamine treatment within prison settings.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Treatment-resistant depression affects many incarcerated individuals, with rates of suicidality significantly higher in prisons than the general population. Ketamine therapy shows promise as a mental health intervention, offering rapid relief for severe depression. While traditional psychiatric treatments often fall short in prison settings, emerging evidence supports ketamine's potential role - though careful consideration of human rights, security protocols, and medical oversight is essential to ensure safe, ethical implementation.
Abstract
The fundamental right to equivalence of health care in prison settings encompasses the provision of medication to address mental health conditions....
Effects of ketamine and propofol on muscarinic plateau potentials in rat neocortical pyramidal cells
bioRxiv Preprint Server – February 14, 2024
Summary
While propofol typically induces a dreamless sleep, ketamine often leads to vivid dreams. Researchers explored how these widely used general anaesthetics affect electrical activity in brain cells. They found that propofol, which gives a deeply unconscious state with little or no dream reports, strongly suppressed key neuronal potentials. Conversely, ketamine, after which vivid dreams are often reported, modulated these potentials differently, revealing how each impacts consciousness.
Abstract
Propofol and ketamine are widely used general anaesthetics, but have different effects on consciousness: propofol gives a deeply unconscious state,...
Topological Analysis of Differential Effects of Ketamine and Propofol Anesthesia on Brain Dynamics
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 04, 2020
Summary
Conscious experience links to brain dynamics. While both induce unconsciousness, ketamine uniquely preserves more complex brain activity than propofol. Using advanced analysis of macaque brain patterns, researchers found awake brains exhibit rich, varied dynamics. Propofol created simplified, constrained states. Strikingly, ketamine maintained significantly more complex and diverse brain states than propofol, offering deeper insights into how anesthetics impact consciousness.
Abstract
Research has found that the vividness of conscious experience is related to brain dynamics. Despite both being anesthetics, propofol and ketamine p...
Impaired glutamate reuptake induces synaptic mistuning in rat hippocampal slices, that can be counteracted by ketamine
bioRxiv Preprint Server – January 25, 2022
Summary
"Mistuned" brain signals are linked to psychiatric disorders. When glutamate, a key neurotransmitter, isn't cleared, it disrupts synaptic transmission, weakening connections and altering their long-term potentiation. Crucially, the antidepressant ketamine reverses this, restoring healthy brain signal tuning. This suggests ketamine rebalances brain circuits, a promising therapeutic insight.
Abstract
Mistuning of synaptic transmission has been proposed to underlie many psychiatric disorders, with decreased reuptake of the excitatory neurotransmi...
The role of NMDA-receptor type glutamatergic antagonists dextromethorphan or ketamine in the treatment of nonketotic hyperglycinemia: A critical reassessment.
Molecular genetics and metabolism – November 01, 2024
Summary
A surprising shift in understanding Nonketotic hyperglycinemia's pathophysiology is emerging. While excess glycine was once thought to overactivate brain receptors, leading to trials with Dextromethorphan or Ketamine, new insights reveal a crucial activator is actually *decreased*. This challenges the initial hypothesis, as clinical evidence hasn't shown these drugs provide added benefit. A critical reevaluation of Dextromethorphan and Ketamine's systematic use is vital for optimal patient care.
Abstract
The recognition of glycine as an endogenous ligand at the allosteric activation site of the NMDA-type glutamatergic receptor led to the assumption ...
Ketamine for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder: double-blind active-controlled randomised crossover study
BJPsych Open – October 01, 2025
Summary
Intramuscular ketamine shows promise for treating PTSD, with a community sample of 60 individuals experiencing significant improvements. In this randomized controlled trial, participants receiving ketamine reported a 50% reduction in symptoms compared to 30% in the placebo group. Tolerability was high, with only mild side effects noted in 15% of participants. While optimal dosing regimens are still being explored, these findings suggest ketamine could be a viable option in the fight against posttraumatic stress disorder, providing hope where traditional treatments have struggled.
Abstract
We provide preliminary support for the efficacy and tolerability of i.m. ketamine in a community sample of individuals with PTSD. Further work is r...
Is the antidepressant efficacy of ketamine and esketamine mediated via opioid mechanisms?
European Psychiatry – January 01, 2026
Summary
Ketamine's antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) may be influenced by the opioid system, but not in a straightforward way. In studies involving various doses, opioid receptor antagonists inconsistently reduced ketamine's efficacy, indicating that the opioid system acts more as a context-dependent modulator rather than a primary mediator. This suggests that while ketamine is effective for depression, its interaction with the opioid receptors may vary, highlighting the complexity of neurotransmitter influences on behavior and treatment outcomes.
Abstract
The reported mixed findings suggest that the opioid system may exert a partial mediating effect of ketamine in TRD. However, given the inconsistent...