1731 results for "Ketamine"
A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of ketamine in Rett syndrome.
Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders – January 24, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking clinical trial explored ketamine as a potential treatment for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Low-dose oral ketamine was tested in young girls through a carefully controlled study. While electroencephalography showed the medication reached its intended brain targets, and proved remarkably safe for patients, five days of treatment didn't yield significant symptom improvements.
Abstract
Preclinical studies and anecdotal case reports support the potential therapeutic benefit of low-dose oral ketamine as a treatment of clinical sympt...
A randomised, open-label, pragmatic pilot comparison of oral and intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression.
Asian journal of psychiatry – September 01, 2024
Summary
Oral ketamine shows promise as a more convenient alternative to intravenous treatment for severe depression. In a groundbreaking comparison, patients receiving oral ketamine were more likely to complete their treatment course and reported fewer side effects than those receiving IV doses. Both methods showed similar effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, with oral administration causing less drowsiness and fewer headaches.
Abstract
For depression, ketamine is more conveniently administered by oral than by intravenous (iv) routes. The relative antidepressant efficacy of oral vs...
Evaluation of the Use of Ketamine in Prehospital Seizure Management: A Retrospective Review of the ESO Database.
Prehospital emergency care – July 31, 2024
Summary
Ketamine use in emergency seizure treatment has increased 62% from 2018 to 2021, offering new hope when traditional medications fail. Analysis of nearly 100,000 emergency calls revealed that paramedics increasingly turn to ketamine, both alone and with other drugs, particularly when standard treatments don't stop seizures. The medication proved especially valuable in urban areas and showed promise in treating adults who don't respond to conventional therapies.
Abstract
Benzodiazepines are the primary antiseizure medication used by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for seizures. Available literature in the United St...
Ketamine reduces seizure and interictal continuum activity in refractory status epilepticus: a multicenter in-person and teleneurocritical care study.
Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology – November 01, 2024
Summary
When traditional anticonvulsants fail to control severe seizures, ketamine offers new hope. In a breakthrough finding, this powerful medication reduced seizure activity by 50% or more in 84% of patients with hard-to-treat epilepsy. Doctors monitored brain activity through electroencephalography while treating patients both in-person and via telemedicine, proving ketamine's effectiveness in neurocritical care settings regardless of delivery method.
Abstract
There is not a preferred medication for treating refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and intravenous ketamine is increasingly used. Ketamine effica...
Effects of Chronic Social Isolation Stress and Alcohol on the Reinforcing Properties of Ketamine in Male and Female Rats.
eNeuro – March 01, 2025
Summary
Social isolation and alcohol use can significantly alter how ketamine affects the brain, with notable differences between males and females. Research reveals that female subjects consumed more ketamine than males, while prior alcohol exposure increased ketamine intake specifically in females. In males, both isolation and alcohol independently led to higher ketamine use. These behavioral changes were matched by physical alterations in brain cell connections (spines) within the nucleus accumbens, a key reward center. The findings highlight important sex-specific interactions between stress, alcohol, and ketamine response.
Abstract
While ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is effective in treating major depression, studies have not addressed the safety of repeated ketamine ...
Ketamine's rapid and sustained antidepressant effects are driven by distinct mechanisms.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS – February 27, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's powerful antidepressant effects work through two distinct biological pathways in the brain. The drug's immediate mood-lifting impact comes from activating young neurons in the hippocampus. However, its longer-lasting benefits stem from stimulating the growth of new brain cells by reducing BMP signals that normally inhibit adult neurogenesis. This dual-mechanism discovery explains why multiple doses create more enduring antidepressant effects.
Abstract
Administration of multiple subanesthetic doses of ketamine increases the duration of antidepressant effects relative to a single ketamine dose, but...
A time-sensitive plasticity distinguishes the rapid and sustained synaptic actions of ketamine from its (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine metabolite.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – February 03, 2026
Summary
A surprising finding reveals that ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects don't come from the drug itself, but its metabolite, 2R6R. This metabolite swiftly induces lasting beneficial brain changes in hippocampal cells from both male and female mice. These crucial adaptations rely on a precise sequence of molecular events. Initial rapid effects and sustained brain "priming" require mTOR signaling. Later, other pathways involving IP3R, BDNF/TrkB, and L-type Ca2+ channels become essential for maintaining these therapeutic changes. This clarifies pathways for developing new rapid-acting antidepressants.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-relevant neuroplastogenic effects in vivo. The metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorke...
Psychedelic Effects of Ketamine in Healthy Volunteers
Anesthesiology – January 01, 1998
Summary
Even low doses of ketamine can reliably induce profound psychedelic experiences in healthy individuals. Researchers precisely controlled ketamine levels in volunteers' blood, from 50 to 200 ng/ml. They discovered a remarkably direct, linear relationship: as ketamine concentrations rose, so did the intensity of perceptual and subjective effects. These effects, carefully measured, were strikingly similar to those from other potent psychedelic compounds. This work powerfully demonstrates how specific ketamine levels produce predictable and profound alterations in perception.
Abstract
Background Ketamine has been associated with a unique spectrum of subjective "psychedelic" effects in patients emerging from anesthesia. This study...
High-Frequency Analysis of the Cerebral Physiological Impact of Ketamine in Acute Traumatic Neural Injury.
Neurotrauma reports – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safer sedation option for acute brain injuries, offering unique advantages over traditional treatments. New high-frequency monitoring reveals that this medication doesn't increase dangerous brain pressures in patients with traumatic brain injury, contrary to previous beliefs. By tracking 122 patients' brain activity, doctors found ketamine maintained stable pressure levels while providing effective sedation, potentially offering a valuable treatment option that avoids common side effects of other sedatives.
Abstract
Acute traumatic neural injury, also known as traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a leading cause of death. TBI treatment focuses on the use of sedativ...
Cognitive and subjective acute dose effects of intramuscular ketamine in healthy adults.
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology – November 01, 2006
Summary
Ketamine's effect on memory is remarkably precise. A study investigated how varying intramuscular ketamine doses impacted healthy adults' cognitive functions and subjective experiences. Using a placebo-controlled design, volunteers received doses, with memory, attention, and motor skills assessed for five hours. Results revealed ketamine selectively impaired memory encoding and working memory speed, yet *spared retrieval, attention, and accuracy*. Crucially, participants reported *no hallucinations or mystical experiences*. Subjective effects were more sensitive and prolonged than cognitive impairments. This demonstrates ketamine's selective, temporary effects, enhancing our grasp of drug influence on cognition.
Abstract
Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. Given the purported role of the NMDA receptor in long-term potentiation, the p...
Ketamine's Influence on Magnetoencephalography Patterns During a Working Memory Task in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Exploratory Study.
Bipolar disorders – April 02, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a promising treatment for severe depression, changes brain wave patterns in memory-related regions while leaving cognitive performance intact. In patients with treatment-resistant depression, a single dose improved mood without affecting working memory or attention. Brain scans revealed shifts in neural activity across key attention networks, suggesting ketamine's antidepressant effects work through unique pathways that preserve cognitive function.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a challenge, necessitating novel interventions that address associated cognitive deficits. The glutama...
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Ketamine Use, its Addiction, and Withdrawal: A Mini Review.
Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology – March 03, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's dual nature as both a promising depression treatment and a potential source of addiction lies in its complex effects on brain chemistry. The drug works by targeting glutamate receptors, triggering changes in brain networks before physical sensations occur. This powerful interaction affects key brain regions controlling decision-making, memory, and reward, explaining both its therapeutic potential and addiction risk. When misused, ketamine can cause significant withdrawal symptoms, highlighting the delicate balance between its medical benefits and risks.
Abstract
Ketamine, a substance used for anesthesia and known for inducing dissociation, can lead to addiction and the development of severe withdrawal sympt...
Characterizing the therapeutical use of ketamine for adolescent rats of both sexes: Antidepressant-like efficacy and safety profile.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating adolescent depression, but its effects vary significantly between males and females. New research reveals that while this medication effectively reduces depressive symptoms in young rats, safety concerns emerged. Female adolescents showed signs of drug sensitization, while males displayed increased addiction risk when re-exposed to ketamine in adulthood. The findings highlight the complex balance between therapeutic benefits and safety considerations in youth mental health treatment.
Abstract
While ketamine was approved for treatment-resistant depression in adult patients, its efficacy and safety profile for adolescence still requires fu...
Beyond therapeutic potential: a systematic investigation of ketamine misuse in patients with depressive disorders.
Discover mental health – July 01, 2024
Summary
While ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, careful monitoring is essential. Analysis of patient data reveals that ketamine treatment for major depressive disorder can be highly effective when properly administered, but clinicians now have better tools to screen for potential misuse. A new standardized assessment protocol helps doctors safely deliver this breakthrough therapy while minimizing abuse risks.
Abstract
Ketamine, a pharmacological agent that acts as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, has garnered considerable interest becaus...
Ketamine Increases Human Motor Cortex Excitability to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
The Journal of Physiology – March 01, 2003
Summary
Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine significantly enhance excitability in the human motor cortex, evidenced by a notable reduction in resting motor threshold (RMT) from 49% to 42.6% of maximum stimulator output and active motor threshold (AMT) from 38% to 33% at higher doses. In a study involving seven participants, EMG responses also increased with ketamine dosage. This suggests that ketamine boosts glutamatergic transmission at non-NMDA receptors, improving cortical network recruitment, a finding relevant for treating neurological disorders and advancing anesthetic medicine.
Abstract
Subanaesthetic doses of the N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine have been shown to determine a dual modulating effect on glutamaterg...
Ketamine and its Regulatory Implications: A Review
Journal of Medical Regulation – December 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, widely known as an anesthetic since 1970, is increasingly used off-label for treating depression and other psychiatric disorders. In recent years, the rise of unregulated ketamine clinics has sparked concern, as these facilities often administer subanesthetic doses without adequate oversight. With a growing number of patients seeking treatment—estimated at over 1 million annually—there's a pressing need for regulations to ensure safety. Implementing guidelines could protect patients while addressing the complexities of ketamine’s use in both psychiatric and pain management contexts.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been approved for use as a clinical and veterinary anesthetic sin...
Effect of S-ketamine on postoperative pain sensitivity in children with preoperative chemotherapy.
Pediatric research – May 30, 2025
Summary
S-ketamine shows promise in managing post-surgery pain for young cancer patients. In a breakthrough finding, children receiving this medication during surgery experienced significantly less pain and higher pain thresholds for up to 48 hours after their procedures. The treatment proved especially effective for those who had undergone chemotherapy, offering a new way to help vulnerable young patients recover more comfortably.
Abstract
Children undergoing chemotherapy experience exacerbated postoperative pain and prolonged pain perception. Intraoperative intravenous administration...
Increased sensitivity to psychomotor effects of ketamine enantiomers in the Wistar-Kyoto depression model.
Journal of psychiatric research – April 01, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that depressed subjects may be more sensitive to ketamine's effects than previously thought. Scientists compared two forms (enantiomers) of this promising antidepressant in a depression model using specialized Wistar-Kyoto rats. The S-form showed stronger immediate psychomotor effects than its R-counterpart, particularly in depressed subjects. However, with repeated treatment, tolerance developed, suggesting side effects may decrease over time.
Abstract
Ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, is a racemic mixture, composed of equal amounts of R- and S-ketamine. Preclinical studies are comparing the...
Effects of Subanesthetic Ketamine Administration on Visual and Auditory Event-Related Potentials (ERP) in Humans: A Systematic Review
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience – April 16, 2018
Summary
Ketamine profoundly alters how the brain processes sensory information, impacting nociception and cognition. A Neuroscience review of 18 studies, drawn from 141 pre-selected articles, revealed this NMDA receptor antagonist significantly reduces specific Event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes (N2, P2, P3) within the sensory system. This dissociative effect, explored via functional brain connectivity studies, suggests Ketamine decreases affective discrimination of sensory input, a key insight for Psychology. Such neural mechanisms are crucial for understanding its role in the treatment of Major Depression and even Audiology.
Abstract
Ketamine is a non-competitive N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist whose effect in subanesthetic doses has been studied for chronic pain...
Effect of Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion in the Intensive Care Unit on Postoperative Opioid Consumption and Traumatic Memories After Hospital Discharge: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Anesthesia and analgesia – February 05, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine helped reduce post-surgery opioid use by 15% in intensive care patients, but came with an unexpected trade-off. Patients receiving ketamine reported more frightening memories of their hospital stay. In this trial of 118 surgical patients, those given ketamine needed significantly less fentanyl for pain control, particularly after abdominal surgery. However, follow-up interviews revealed these patients were more likely to recall disturbing memories of their ICU experience.
Abstract
Low-dose ketamine may have an opioid-sparing effect in critically ill patients but may also predispose them to traumatic memories. We evaluated the...
Effect of Low-dose Ketamine Infusion on Opioid Consumption in Children Undergoing Open Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Study.
Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia – October 01, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine offers new hope for reducing pain medication needs in young cardiac patients. Children receiving ketamine during and after heart surgery required significantly less opioid medication for pain control. This breakthrough in pediatric analgesia showed that carefully administered ketamine not only reduced pain scores but also avoided common side effects. The treatment proved both safe and effective, with patients experiencing better pain management while using fewer powerful painkillers.
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of low-dose ketamine infusion on the perioperative consumption of opioids in pediatric open cardiac ...
Differential effects of opioid receptor antagonism on the anti-dyskinetic and anti-parkinsonian effects of sub-anesthetic ketamine treatment in a preclinical model.
Neuropharmacology – October 01, 2024
Summary
New research reveals ketamine's promising dual action in Parkinson's disease: it reduces both movement problems and the unwanted jerking movements caused by levodopa therapy. When combined with naloxone (which blocks opioid receptors), ketamine's ability to control involuntary movements remained strong, while its power to improve general movement actually increased. These findings suggest ketamine could offer relief to Parkinson's patients through multiple biological pathways.
Abstract
Sub-anesthetic ketamine treatment has been shown to be an effective therapy for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain. Our group has prev...
Increasing Prevalence of Ketamine in Drivers in New York City Including the Identification of 2-Fluoro-Deschloroketamine.
Journal of analytical toxicology – September 17, 2021
Summary
An analysis of New York City driving incidents revealed a stark reality: recreational ketamine use is a persistent and growing problem. From 2015-2020, 47 cases of suspected driving under the influence (DUID) involved ketamine, with 100% confirmed as non-medical misuse. This trend is increasing. Most drivers were male (94%) and aged 21-39 (85%), frequently combining ketamine with other substances like cannabinoids (38%) or alcohol (32%). This underscores the ongoing challenge of recreational ketamine use despite its expanding therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used in veterinary and human medicine since the 1970s. Its clinical use has expanded to control of seizures, ...
Ketamine Anesthesia Does Not Improve Depression Scores in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology – October 01, 2018
Summary
Ketamine anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) offers a distinct advantage in seizure reliability. All 23 patients receiving ketamine achieved adequate seizures, with only 4% needing bilateral stimulation. In contrast, 15% of 27 patients given methohexital failed to achieve adequate seizures, and 26% required bilateral ECT. While both anesthetics improved depression scores similarly, only ketamine elevated plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This suggests ketamine provides specific physiological benefits and consistent seizure induction, even if not solely reflected in standard depression assessments.
Abstract
Background: Although interest in ketamine use during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has increased, studies have been equivocal with regard to its ...
Effect of Acute Ketamine Treatment on Sympathetic Regulation Indexed by Electrodermal Activity in Adolescent Major Depression.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – March 10, 2024
Summary
Ketamine rapidly eased severe depressive symptoms in adolescents. Researchers investigated if a single ketamine infusion impacted sympathetic regulation, measured by electrodermal activity, alongside depressive symptomatology in adolescent girls with major depressive disorder. Findings showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms with no change in electrodermal activity. This indicates ketamine's potential as a safe, acute treatment for a severe episode of major depressive disorder in adolescence, positively affecting mood without altering sympathetic regulation.
Abstract
Ketamine is a potential rapid-onset antidepressant characterized by sympathomimetic effects. However, the question of ketamine's use in treating ad...
Six weeks open-label oral ketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 05, 2025
Summary
Oral ketamine shows promise as a convenient at-home treatment for multiple mental health conditions. Patients with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and OCD who sipped ketamine mixed with orange juice 1-3 times weekly maintained their previous improvements over a 6-week period. Most participants completed the full maintenance treatment, with doses gradually increasing for optimal benefit. The treatment proved both effective and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
We previously completed a double-blind randomised crossover study assessing intramuscular ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TR-D), post-...
Oral ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder: A midazolam-controlled randomized clinical trial.
Asian journal of psychiatry – April 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of oral ketamine showed remarkable potential in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts in people with major depressive disorder. In this controlled trial, patients received either oral ketamine or midazolam (a comparison drug). Those given ketamine experienced significant improvements in both suicidal ideation and depression symptoms within 4 hours, with benefits lasting up to a week. While some experienced mild adverse effects like nausea, the treatment was well-tolerated.
Abstract
The simplest, most convenient, and least expensive way to treat depressed and suicidal patients with ketamine is to administer racemic ketamine by ...
Proteomic patterns associated with ketamine response in major depressive disorders.
Cell biology and toxicology – January 10, 2025
Summary
Blood proteins may hold the key to predicting depression treatment success. Scientists identified specific biomarkers in patients' blood that can forecast who will respond best to ketamine therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). By analyzing plasma proteomics before and after treatment, researchers discovered six key proteins linked to positive outcomes. The findings revealed that immune response plays a crucial role in ketamine's effectiveness, potentially revolutionizing how we personalize depression treatment.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Ketamine has been widely used to treat MDD...
Ketamine Reduces Avoidance Responses During Re-Exposition to Aversive Stimulus: Comparison Between (S)-Isomer and Racemic Mixture.
Brain sciences – December 22, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a promising treatment for mental health conditions, shows remarkable potential in reducing fear-based avoidance behaviors. In mouse studies, both standard ketamine and its S-isomer form effectively decreased depression symptoms and helped animals cope better with stressful situations. The standard mixture proved particularly powerful, reducing anxiety and limiting avoidance responses to unpleasant stimuli, suggesting broader therapeutic benefits for treating anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Recent studies have investigated the effects of ketamine on fear memory in animals. However, it is unclear if ketamine might affect avoidance memor...
Effects of ketamine on metabolic parameters in depressive disorders: A systematic review.
Journal of affective disorders – December 15, 2024
Summary
Promising news for depression treatment: Ketamine shows no negative effects on metabolism or blood sugar control. This breakthrough matters because people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) often face higher diabetes risks. Studies reveal ketamine actually improves glucose uptake in key brain regions and maintains healthy insulin function, making it a safer choice than many traditional antidepressants for treating resistant depression.
Abstract
Persons with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), notably treatment-resistant depression (TRD), are differentially affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus...
Ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression: A network meta-analysis of efficacy and safety.
Journal of psychiatric research – July 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking treatments offer new hope for those battling severe depression. A comprehensive network meta-analysis reveals that both electroconvulsive therapy and ketamine significantly improve symptoms, with ECT showing the strongest results. When comparing these treatments across multiple studies involving 1,370 patients, ECT emerged as the most effective option, followed by combined ECT-ketamine therapy, and ketamine alone.
Abstract
Ketamine, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and their combination are effective for treating severe depression, but few large-scale studies have com...
Exploring perinatal ketamine for postpartum depression following cesarean section: A systematic review.
PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences – September 01, 2024
Summary
Promising new evidence suggests that perinatal ketamine could offer relief for new mothers experiencing postpartum depression after cesarean sections. When administered during C-sections, this medication showed significant potential in reducing depression symptoms in most studies. Analysis of multiple clinical trials revealed lower depression scores in mothers who received ketamine compared to those who didn't, offering hope for safer, more effective treatment options.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the use of perinatal ketamine to see if it can be used for the reduction of postpartum depression (PPD) follow...
Expanding Ketamine Application for Treatment of Acute Suicidality in Long-Duration Spaceflight.
Aerospace medicine and human performance – June 01, 2025
Summary
Addressing acute suicidality in long-duration spaceflight is a critical challenge. A comprehensive literature review explored how ketamine, known for its rapid efficacy on Earth, could be a vital intervention for psychiatric emergencies in space. This analysis of 122 publications suggests ketamine offers a safe, multifaceted tool for Earth-independent medical operations, significantly enhancing behavioral health support for future spaceflight missions.
Abstract
The transition to exploration missions places a heightened risk on behavioral health in spaceflight. Although serious psychiatric emergencies durin...
(R)-Ketamine reduces alcohol intake and alcohol seeking induced by reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories in female Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats.
Psychopharmacology – November 15, 2025
Summary
A specific form of ketamine offers new hope for reducing alcohol intake. Researchers investigated if (R)-ketamine, a dissociative psychedelic with fewer side effects, could combat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They tested its effects on drinking and alcohol-related memory retrieval in rats. Remarkably, (R)-ketamine significantly reduced alcohol consumption and impaired memory retrieval in female rats, indicating a sex-specific benefit. This suggests exciting potential for new AUD treatments.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents a significant medical challenge, with available therapeutic approaches having limited efficacy. Emerging data...
Mapping the Use of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression and Other Psychiatric Disorders: A Scoping Review of Practice Patterns, Efficacy, and Patient Demographic Trends.
American journal of therapeutics
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promising results for patients who don't respond to traditional depression treatments, with success rates reaching 70% in some cases. This comprehensive analysis of treatment patterns reveals that IV administration remains the preferred method, though accessibility varies widely. Private clinics offer more flexible psychiatric care than hospitals, but health care accessibility remains a challenge, especially in rural areas. Most patients are middle-aged, and insurance coverage limitations create financial barriers to this innovative treatment option.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although intravenous (IV) k...
Environmental determinants of ketamine's prohedonic and antianhedonic efficacy: Persistence of enhanced reward responsiveness is modulated by chronic stress.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – May 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's ability to treat depression may depend heavily on environmental stress levels. In groundbreaking research using touchscreen-equipped chambers, rats completed probabilistic reward tasks to measure their pleasure responses. Ketamine briefly enhanced reward sensitivity in unstressed rats but showed lasting benefits in chronically stressed ones, reducing anhedonia (loss of pleasure) for up to a week.
Abstract
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with well documented abuse liability, can also provide rapid-onset and persistent antidepressant effects and is...
Ketamine, a new (or old) kid on the block: A comprehensive three-year spatio-temporal study in Belgium through wastewater-based epidemiology.
Water research – May 15, 2025
Summary
Belgian cities show a 7-11x increase in ketamine use over the past decade, revealed through innovative wastewater analysis. Scientists tracked ketamine and its metabolite norketamine in wastewater across 26 locations, finding widespread use in both urban and rural areas. Higher levels occurred on weekends, suggesting recreational use. By analyzing metabolite ratios, researchers could distinguish between actual consumption and direct disposal.
Abstract
Based on reports of ketamine seizures, self-reported consumption and harmful associated health effects, there are signs of increased ketamine use. ...
Systematic review of parenteral ketamine for managing acute agitation in emergency settings.
Asian journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
In emergency departments, managing severe agitation requires fast, effective solutions. Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise in calming aggressive patients quickly and safely. When administered by injection, it takes effect in just 6 minutes on average, providing rapid relief in psychiatric emergencies. Studies spanning 1,500+ patients found it particularly effective, with most requiring only a single dose for successful sedation. While some patients experienced mild side effects like increased heart rate, serious complications were extremely rare.
Abstract
Agitation, a significant psychiatric issue often linked to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, invariably pose c...
Associations between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone levels, major depression features and antidepressant effects of ketamine.
Journal of affective disorders – March 15, 2025
Summary
Stress hormones may hold clues to depression's duration and severity. New research reveals that ketamine, a promising rapid-acting antidepressant, works independently of key stress hormones like cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone. While these hormone levels don't predict treatment success, lower hormone levels correlate with shorter depressive episodes, potentially offering a way to gauge illness duration.
Abstract
Subanesthetic doses of (R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) have demonstrated rapid and robust antidepressant effects in individuals with depression. However,...
Decoupling of motor cortex to movement in Parkinson's dyskinesia rescued by sub-anaesthetic ketamine.
Brain : a journal of neurology – June 03, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating movement complications from Parkinson's medication. Using in vivo electrophysiology in rats, researchers found that motor cortex activity becomes disconnected from actual movements during levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Sub-anesthetic ketamine helped restore this connection by reorganizing neural population states, reducing unwanted movements without disrupting normal motor function.
Abstract
Gamma-band and single-unit neural activity in primary motor cortex are involved in the control of movement. This activity is disrupted in Parkinson...
Ketamine vs Electroconvulsive Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – June 03, 2024
Summary
Patients with moderate to severe depression showed better improvement with ketamine infusions compared to electroconvulsive therapy when treated as outpatients. For those with very severe depression requiring hospitalization, both treatments proved effective, though ECT showed faster initial results. This groundbreaking comparison across five medical centers helps doctors better match treatments to individual patient needs.
Abstract
The ELEKT-D: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) vs Ketamine in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) (ELEKT-D) trial demonstrated noninfe...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Ketamine.
American journal of therapeutics
Summary
Ketamine, once solely used as an anesthetic, now shows remarkable promise in mental health treatment. A single dose can reduce depression symptoms within hours - far faster than traditional antidepressants. It effectively treats severe depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, while also helping manage post-surgery pain with fewer opioids needed. Though effects may be temporary, its rapid action and safety profile make it a valuable tool for clinicians.
Abstract
Ketamine, an arylcyclohexylamine dissociative anesthetic agent, has evolved into a versatile therapeutic. It has a rapid-onset, well-understood car...
Maintenance Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – August 01, 2018
Summary
Maintenance ketamine infusions show promise for sustaining antidepressant effects in some individuals with treatment-resistant depression. All 11 patients in a recent review experienced reduced depression scores after initial treatment, with lower scores maintained during ongoing therapy. At the review's conclusion, 5 patients (45%) continued maintenance or transitioned to intranasal ketamine. While 4 patients (36%) discontinued due to lost effect and one due to side effects, no major adverse events were reported, suggesting good tolerability for this approach.
Abstract
Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated ketamine to have a rapid antidepressant effect in some patients with treatment-resistant dep...
Ketamine does not rescue plaque load or gap detection in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite ketamine's promise in treating various brain disorders, new research reveals it doesn't slow Alzheimer's progression in mice. Scientists tested ketamine's effects on brain changes and hearing abilities in 5xFAD mice, which mirror human Alzheimer's. While the study confirmed that auditory gap detection serves as a reliable biomarker for early disease, neither single nor daily ketamine doses improved plaque buildup or hearing behavior in the auditory cortex.
Abstract
Ketamine has received growing attention for its effects on neuroplasticity and neuroinflammation, and as a treatment for depression and other menta...
A pilot study of ketamine among individuals with tobacco use disorder: tolerability and initial impact on tobacco use outcomes.
Journal of addictive diseases – January 20, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist that modulates glutamate activity in the brain, shows promise in treating addiction. In this groundbreaking exploration, researchers tested ketamine's potential to help people quit smoking. Ten tobacco users received either a single low-dose ketamine infusion or placebo. While participants tolerated the treatment well, showing only minor temporary effects, the single dose didn't significantly reduce smoking or tobacco cravings over the following week.
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of ketamine's therapeutic potential in reducing substance use in individuals with substance use disorders. However, it...
Safe Ketamine Use and Pregnancy: A Nationwide Survey and Retrospective Review of Informed Consent, Counseling, and Testing Practices.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – August 26, 2024
Summary
Despite ketamine's growing use in psychiatric treatment, only 14% of clinics require contraception and less than half discuss pregnancy risks. A nationwide survey reveals significant gaps in pregnancy screening and counseling at ketamine clinics. While some facilities conduct regular testing, many lack standardized protocols. At academic centers, weekly pregnancy tests are routine, though only 50% of patients report using contraception during treatment. These findings highlight the need for better reproductive health protocols in ketamine therapy.
Abstract
Objective: Ketamine is contraindicated in pregnancy given the lack of knowledge about potential effects on a developing fetus. This study aimed to ...
A randomized controlled pilot study of daily intravenous ketamine over three days for treatment-resistant depression.
BMC psychiatry – July 18, 2024
Summary
Daily ketamine infusions show promise for hard-to-treat depression. In this groundbreaking trial, patients received either ketamine or a comparison drug over three consecutive days. While both treatments reduced depressive symptoms, ketamine demonstrated good tolerability with only temporary side effects. The treatment's efficacy was tracked for a month, showing sustained response in many participants.
Abstract
Studies have confirmed the rapid antidepressant action of ketamine in depressive episodes. Nevertheless, a standardized procedure for the delivery ...
The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to ketamine for severe treatment-resistant depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 19, 2023
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid antidepressant effects for severe Treatment of Major Depression, a challenging brain disorder. The Montreal model, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach refined over 6 years in public Psychiatry, integrates Ketamine infusions with holistic care. This model, relevant to Clinical psychology and Medicine, combines structured psychiatric support and ongoing psychotherapy with six Ketamine infusions. Drawing on Psychedelics and Drug Studies, a psychotherapist guides psychedelic-inspired psychological adjuncts, fostering growth and optimizing Ketamine's therapeutic potential for enhanced psychological care.
Abstract
Background Subanesthetic ketamine has accumulated meta-analytic evidence for rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), ...
Suicide prevention and ketamine: insights from computational modeling
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 30, 2023
Summary
Computational modeling offers a promising path to understanding how ketamine rapidly alleviates suicidality. This innovative approach in psychiatry uses advanced generative models to simulate brain processes, revealing how ketamine influences neural circuits involved in learning and decision-making. By analyzing altered brain connectivity and receptor densities, this computational modeling helps pinpoint the precise mechanisms. This powerful tool promises to personalize treatment strategies, offering new hope for individuals.
Abstract
Suicide is a pressing public health issue, with over 700,000 individuals dying each year. Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for suicida...
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of Ketamine vs. Electroconvulsive Therapy in Severe Depression with Suicidal Ideation.
Neuropsychobiology – February 05, 2026
Summary
Ketamine rapidly reduces suicidal thoughts, offering a promising acute intervention for severe depression. A trial of 64 patients found 31 receiving ketamine and 33 receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) over two weeks. Ketamine lowered suicidal ideation scores from 12.6 to 2.0, while ECT reduced them from 12.1 to 1.2. Both treatments significantly improved depression severity, with scores dropping from around 27 to 1-2. Ketamine acted faster; ECT showed slightly greater durability. Both were effective and safe, with mild side effects.
Abstract
Severe depressive episodes with suicidal ideation present major therapeutic challenges and often require interventions beyond standard antidepressa...