1731 results for "Ketamine"
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine has similar abuse potential as ketamine.
Addiction biology – May 01, 2022
Summary
The unregulated drug 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) exhibits abuse potential strikingly similar to ketamine. Evidence indicates 2-FDCK induced conditioned place preference at 3 mg/kg, comparable to ketamine. It also triggered locomotor sensitization following repeated 30 mg/kg doses. Furthermore, 2-FDCK readily induced drug self-administration at 0.5 mg/kg/infusion, identical to ketamine, and dose-dependently substituted for ketamine in drug discrimination. These findings underscore 2-FDCK's significant public health risk.
Abstract
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) as a substitute for ketamine has emerged among drug abusers in recent years. However, 2-FDCK has not been contro...
S-ketamine alleviates depression-like behavior and hippocampal neuroplasticity in the offspring of mice that experience prenatal stress.
Scientific reports – November 06, 2024
Summary
Stress during pregnancy can significantly impact a child's mental health. New findings show that S-ketamine effectively treats depression in offspring exposed to prenatal stress by enhancing brain adaptability. The drug works by improving neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, a key brain region for emotional regulation, reversing stress-induced changes and boosting vital growth factors for healthy brain function.
Abstract
Prenatal stress exerts long-term impact on neurodevelopment in the offspring, with consequences such as increasing the offspring's risk of depressi...
Intravenous ketamine to prevent post-partum depression following cesarean under neuraxial anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics – June 14, 2025
Summary
New research challenges assumptions about ketamine's role in preventing postpartum depression. Analysis of over 2,200 women who underwent cesarean sections found that while ketamine administered during surgery reduced pain and lowered opioid use, it didn't significantly impact postpartum depression rates. The findings, drawn from multiple randomized controlled trials, suggest that alternative strategies for preventing post-birth mood disorders may be needed.
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) significantly affects well-being and the ability to function normally, making preventive strategies crucial. The role o...
Triiodothyronine ameliorates S-ketamine-induced hypomyelination via the PPARα pathway in neonatal rat.
Experimental neurology – July 01, 2025
Summary
Thyroid hormone supplements could protect infant brain development during anesthesia. When babies receive S-ketamine anesthesia, it can disrupt myelination - the crucial process of insulating nerve cells. Research shows triiodothyronine (a thyroid hormone) activates PPARα pathways, helping oligodendrocytes maintain healthy nerve insulation and motor skills in young rats exposed to anesthesia.
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that prolonged or repeated exposure to general anesthesia is associated with white matter alteration in children, which m...
Changes in synaptic markers after administration of ketamine or psychedelics: a systematic scoping review
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 26, 2023
Summary
Ketamine and hallucinogens like Psilocybin significantly enhance brain cell connections, particularly under stress. A comprehensive review of 84 studies (71 on Ketamine, 9 on psychedelics) found Ketamine counteracted stress-related reductions in Hippocampus synaptic markers. Psychedelics generally increased markers like Synapsin I, demonstrating Synaptic plasticity. This Neuroscience insight offers compelling potential for Medicine and Clinical psychology, including Psychiatry and the Treatment of Major Depression, underscoring the therapeutic value in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Background Ketamine and psychedelics have abuse liability. They can also induce “transformative experiences” where individuals experience enhanced ...
Ketamine effects on resting state functional brain connectivity in major depressive disorder patients: a hypothesis-driven analysis based on a network model of depression.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful glutamatergic modulator, can lift depression symptoms within hours - a remarkable contrast to traditional antidepressants that take weeks. Using functional MRI brain scans, researchers found that a single ketamine dose rapidly altered specific brain connection patterns in patients with major depressive disorder. The treatment cut depression scores in half within 24 hours by targeting key neural circuits involved in mood regulation.
Abstract
Ketamine demonstrates robust and rapidly occurring antidepressant effects in patients with difficult-to-treat major depressive disorder. Ketamine's...
Decreasing brain activity caused by acute administration of ketamine and alcohol - A randomized, controlled, observer-blinded experimental study.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Mixing ketamine and alcohol alters brain wave patterns in surprising ways, with higher doses of ketamine actually reversing some of alcohol's sedative effects. Scientists tracked brain activity using electroencephalography in lab studies, finding that alcohol alone decreased all brain wave types. When combined, ketamine amplified alcohol's calming effect at low doses but sparked increased brain activity at higher doses, revealing complex interactions relevant to substance-related disorders.
Abstract
Substance abuse is a major public health problem. In recent years, ketamine, which is a parenteral anesthetic, has been consumed increasingly as an...
Characterization of Oral Ketamine Use: A Retrospective Review.
Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy – March 01, 2025
Summary
Oral ketamine shows promise in pain management, especially for patients who've developed high tolerance to traditional opioids. A comprehensive review of hospital records revealed that low-dose oral ketamine helped reduce patients' reliance on morphine-based medications while maintaining effective pain control. Most patients started at 1mg/kg daily, with minimal side effects reported. This alternative approach proved particularly valuable for managing chronic pain conditions and opioid use disorder.
Abstract
Ketamine is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used to treat pain at subanesthetic doses. Ketamine is beneficial for pain control i...
Neural correlates of treatment response to ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review of MRI-based studies.
Psychiatry research – October 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine offers new hope for people with severe depression who haven't responded to traditional treatments. Brain imaging reveals that this medication works by targeting specific neural networks linked to mood, pleasure, and negative thought patterns. Using magnetic resonance imaging, researchers found ketamine reduces anhedonia and suicidal thoughts by activating key brain regions involved in emotion processing. The treatment shows particular promise in reducing thought rumination in treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as patients diagnosed with depression having a history of failure with different antidepressants wi...
Baseline monocyte count predicts symptom improvement during intravenous ketamine therapy in treatment-resistant depression: a single-arm open-label observational study.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
A simple blood test measuring immune cell counts may help predict who will respond best to ketamine therapy for hard-to-treat depression. Higher levels of monocytes—key players in inflammation and immunity—were linked to better treatment outcomes. In a study of 27 patients receiving ketamine infusions, those with elevated monocyte counts showed greater improvement in depression symptoms, with nearly 80% experiencing significant relief. This breakthrough suggests that basic blood work could help identify ideal candidates for this promising treatment.
Abstract
Neuroinflammatory processes in depression are associated with treatment resistance to conventional antidepressants. Ketamine is an effective new th...
Is there evidence for using ketamine among individuals with dementia?
The Journal of international medical research – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in managing challenging symptoms of dementia, including severe agitation and depression. Three documented cases reveal positive outcomes: one patient's depression improved with subcutaneous treatment, another's acute behavioral disturbance was calmed via intramuscular delivery, and a third case showed success using ketamine during therapy for catatonia. All patients tolerated the treatment well with no major side effects.
Abstract
The aim of this short narrative review was to evaluate the existing literature regarding the clinical use of ketamine among individuals with dement...
Fixed dose ketamine for prehospital management of hyperactive delirium with severe agitation.
The American journal of emergency medicine – July 01, 2024
Summary
Fixed-dose ketamine proves effective in prehospital care for managing hyperactive delirium. A 250mg dose successfully calmed 80% of severely agitated patients, with minimal complications. While traditional sedation relies on weight-based dosing, this standardized approach simplified treatment for emergency responders while maintaining safety. Most patients recovered well, with all surviving to hospital discharge.
Abstract
Patients exhibiting signs of hyperactive delirium with severe agitation (HDSA) may require sedating medications for stabilization and safe transpor...
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 1 study to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an immediate-release oral ketamine capsule in healthy volunteers.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 20, 2025
Summary
An oral ketamine capsule shows promise! Initial findings reveal its **safety** and **tolerability** in healthy volunteers. This investigation explored how different doses of **ketamine** are processed by the body (**pharmacokinetics**) and their effects (**pharmacodynamics**). Results showed dose-proportional **pharmacokinetics**, meaning the body handled higher doses predictably. While some mild, temporary effects like dissociation occurred, they were expected and resolved quickly. Overall, the capsule demonstrated a favorable profile, suggesting its potential for future use.
Abstract
Ketamine, a rapid-acting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist used as a therapeutic for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), is usually admini...
Ketamine in Status Epilepticus: How Soon Is Now?
Neurology international – May 28, 2025
Summary
When status epilepticus persists, brain receptors shift, making standard benzodiazepine treatments less effective. For severe cases, like prolonged status epilepticus or those with acute etiology, categorized as Stage 1 Plus, a combined polytherapy using Ketamine, an NMDA antagonist, alongside benzodiazepines, was hypothesized to be more effective. A review of nine studies found that earlier Ketamine administration significantly improved seizure control in benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus, with a favorable safety profile. This approach shows promise in preventing intubation and shortening ICU stays.
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency. Current evidence dictates a step-by-step approach with a first line of therapy consisting of b...
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of (R)-Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection, a Novel Rapid-Acting Antidepressant, in Healthy Chinese Subjects.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – July 21, 2025
Summary
A new compound, a potential rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression, demonstrated promising safety in initial human trials. Researchers investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of (R)-ketamine in healthy volunteers. They received varying intravenous doses of (R)-ketamine and its metabolite (R)-norketamine. Results showed predictable drug levels and, crucially, it was well-tolerated. Side effects were mild and temporary. Overall, this compound proved safe and well-tolerated, laying groundwork for its potential as a new treatment.
Abstract
Objectives: (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection is a novel, rapid-acting antidepressant for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. The a...
Continuous ketamine infusion for surgical patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with GRADE assessment.
Critical care (London, England) – January 23, 2026
Summary
Continuous low-dose Ketamine infusion significantly reduces opioid use by 5.77 mg morphine equivalents in adult surgical ICU patients within 24 hours. A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials involving 666 patients explored Ketamine's role in analgesia and sedation. It also lowered postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence by 41% (relative risk 0.59). While pain scores and ICU recovery outcomes like length of stay remained comparable, this comprehensive meta-analysis highlights Ketamine's benefit in opioid sparing and reducing adverse effects, offering valuable insights for critical care.
Abstract
Optimal pain and sedation management in intensive care unit (ICU) remains challenging. While opioids and benzodiazepines are widely used, their adv...
Acute ketamine withdrawal disrupts memory and monoaminergic neurotransmission in adolescent female rats.
Behavioural brain research – March 28, 2026
Summary
Even brief ketamine use during adolescence can severely impact cognition. Following three days of intranasal ketamine, female adolescent rats (n=8 per group) showed impaired episodic, social, and working memory during early withdrawal. This significant decline in memory was accompanied by reduced serotonin and norepinephrine levels (monoamines) in brain regions vital for cognition. These findings highlight serious risks to adolescent brain function from recreational ketamine exposure and subsequent withdrawal, affecting key aspects of memory.
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of profound behavioral changes associated with high brain vulnerability to negative stimuli including psychotropic drugs mi...
The Antioxidant Activity of Ketamine: Threshold-Dependent Mechanism in Treatment-Resistant Depression?
OpenAlex – February 17, 2026
Summary
Ketamine significantly boosts the viability of HT22 neuronal cells under severe oxidative stress conditions. When exposed to 1000 µM hydrogen peroxide, cell viability dropped to 12%. However, after treatment with 25 ng/mL ketamine, viability increased to 38%. This protective effect highlights ketamine's nonlinear response to oxidative stress intensity, suggesting that its antioxidant properties may play a crucial role in treating treatment-resistant depression. Understanding this threshold mechanism could enhance personalized treatment strategies for major depression, improving therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Abstract Aim of study: The antidepressant effect of ketamine may be at least partly due to its antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to as...
Administration of low dose intranasal ketamine exerts a neuroprotective effect on whole brain irradiation injury model in wistar rats.
Radiation and environmental biophysics – August 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows promising potential in protecting brain cells from radiation damage. Low-dose nasal ketamine reduced brain injury in rats exposed to radiation therapy by activating BDNF pathways and decreasing harmful neuroinflammation. The treatment improved memory, social behavior, and learning while fighting oxidative stress. Most importantly, it preserved crucial brain cells in the hippocampus, suggesting ketamine could help protect cognitive function during radiation treatments.
Abstract
Exposure to ionizing radiation leads to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, resulting in neurocognitive impairments. Adverse effects are also a...
Comparing the effects of ECT and intravenous ketamine in psychiatric patients with major depressive episodes.
Journal of affective disorders – June 18, 2025
Summary
While ketamine offers rapid relief for depression, a recent review suggests another treatment may be even more impactful. A comparison of severe depression treatments found that ECT demonstrated greater effectiveness than ketamine. Analyzing 146 patients, researchers observed that ECT led to significantly more robust antidepressant effects, with 67.3% responding compared to 45.7% for ketamine. This highlights ECT's strong role in managing major depressive episodes.
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and intravenous (IV) ketamine are treatments used for severe depression and/or treatment-resistant depression (TRD)...
Ketamine Modulates the Neural Correlates of Reward Processing in Unmedicated Patients in Remission from Depression
medRxiv Preprint Server – December 07, 2020
Summary
Ketamine, a rapid antidepressant, uniquely modulates the brain's reward system. Research explored how ketamine affects reward circuit brain areas in people recovered from depression, even without symptom changes. Participants performed a reward task while receiving ketamine. Positive results showed ketamine significantly impacted reward-related brain areas, notably the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, particularly when processing smaller rewards. This suggests ketamine may improve anhedonia in depression by fine-tuning how the brain responds to positive feedback.
Abstract
Ketamine as an antidepressant improves anhedonia, a pernicious symptom of depression as early as 2h post-infusion. The effects of ketamine on anhed...
Dose-dependent relationship between intra-operative ketamine administration and postoperative delirium: a retrospective cohort study.
Anaesthesia – July 06, 2025
Summary
Patients receiving low-dose ketamine during surgery experienced significantly fewer instances of postoperative delirium. Researchers investigated if intra-operative ketamine dosage impacts the risk of delirium. A large analysis of over 100,000 patients undergoing general anaesthesia examined how different ketamine doses related to postoperative outcomes. Results showed that a low dose of ketamine (around 0.25-0.34 mg/kg) was linked to a reduced risk of delirium. This suggests that incorporating low-dose ketamine into multimodal anaesthesia protocols could improve patient recovery. Higher doses, however, did not show the same protective effect.
Abstract
Ketamine is used frequently as an adjunct for general anaesthesia, exerting analgesic and opioid-sparing properties at lower doses and psychotomime...
Cognitive effects of intramuscular ketamine and oral triazolam in healthy volunteers.
Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2013
Summary
While some medications subtly impair memory, making users overestimate their performance, others are more transparent about their cognitive impact. A comparison of ketamine and triazolam in healthy volunteers revealed significant differences. Twenty participants received varying doses or placebos to assess physiological, psychomotor, and cognitive effects. Triazolam consistently impaired psychomotor coordination, attention, working memory, and episodic memory, often leading to an underestimation of cognitive impairment. Remarkably, ketamine produced less overall cognitive impairment than triazolam, even at doses with more pronounced subjective effects. This indicates ketamine offers a clearer perception of its impact.
Abstract
Several studies have documented impairments in memory processes as a result of ketamine administration; however, few studies have compared the prof...
The effect of low-dose ketamine on electroencephalographic spectrum during gynecology surgery under desflurane anesthesia.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA – October 01, 2024
Summary
A small dose of ketamine during surgery can significantly alter brain wave patterns, even when combined with standard anesthesia. Researchers tracked brain activity in 40 gynecological surgery patients, with half receiving ketamine and half receiving saline. While ketamine changed electrical patterns in the brain, it didn't affect pain levels or recovery. This suggests ketamine's complex effects on consciousness during surgery warrant careful monitoring.
Abstract
The perioperative administration of low-dose ketamine has shown potential in postoperative pain management, opioid sparing, and enhancing pain cont...
Intravenous ketamine versus esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
While intranasal esketamine is FDA-approved for severe depression, a comprehensive analysis compared its effectiveness against intravenous ketamine. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated these rapid-acting antidepressants, specifically aiming to compare intravenous ketamine with esketamine (intravenous or intranasal) for adults with depression. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies, revealing comparable acute response and remission rates between intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine. Intriguingly, intravenous ketamine demonstrated a potentially faster onset of positive effects. This systematic review underscores the promising similarities in effectiveness between these treatments.
Abstract
Depression affects approximately 5.7% of adults worldwide, and around one-third of these individuals develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD). ...
Self-reported changes and experiences with substance use among real-world patients treated with medical ketamine.
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology – July 24, 2025
Summary
Many people using medical ketamine for psychiatric conditions report a surprising benefit: reduced reliance on other substances. A survey of 201 patients explored this, finding over half reported positive changes in their substance use. Notably, those with a history of problematic use experienced the most significant improvements, often citing reduced cravings and enhanced motivation to quit. For individuals with minimal prior substance use, ketamine did not appear to encourage new drug-using behaviors. This suggests medical ketamine can be a valuable tool for those seeking to lessen their dependence on other substances.
Abstract
Ketamine is increasingly used in community clinics as a long-term treatment for different psychiatric and pain conditions, including substance use ...
The effect between etomidate and ketamine on peri-intubation hypotension in elderly patients in the emergency department.
The American journal of emergency medicine – May 16, 2025
Summary
When intubating elderly patients in emergency care, choosing the right medication can be critical. A comparison of two common drugs - etomidate and ketamine - revealed that both performed similarly in preventing dangerous blood pressure drops during intubation. While ketamine showed slightly better survival outcomes in certain high-risk cases, both medications proved safe and effective for elderly patients needing emergency breathing support.
Abstract
Peri-intubation hypotension (PIH) is associated with increased mortality. Etomidate and ketamine are commonly used as induction agents for tracheal...
Effect of ketamine on task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging findings in major depressive disorder: A mini-review.
Journal of affective disorders – February 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promising results in treating major depressive disorder by changing how key brain regions function. Brain scans reveal that this fast-acting medication alters activity in areas controlling emotion and thinking, particularly the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Using task-based fMRI, researchers found these brain changes directly correlate with mood improvement in patients, offering hope for those who haven't responded to traditional treatments.
Abstract
Over the last two decades, ketamine has gained significant interest in psychiatry as a potential treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), esp...
How Do People Who Undergo Ketamine Treatment for a Psychiatric Problem Subjectively Experience This Intervention? A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.
International journal of mental health nursing – February 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine therapy offers a unique window into consciousness: patients report profound shifts in perception and emotional breakthroughs during treatment. Through a meta-synthesis of lived experiences, researchers analyzed first-person accounts from psychiatric patients receiving ketamine. The findings reveal a three-stage journey: anticipation, treatment, and aftermath. Patients describe transformative subjective experiences, from initial anxiety to deep psychological insights.
Abstract
Ketamine treatment has shown promising effects for different mental disorders. Yet, little is known on how people who receive ketamine for a psychi...
The effect of intranasal (R,S)-ketamine on symptoms of fatigue in severe major depressive disorder or bipolar depression with and without comorbid alcohol use disorder: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Journal of affective disorders – December 15, 2024
Summary
Ketamine delivered through the nose shows promising results in fighting severe fatigue in patients with depression. In a groundbreaking trial, a single dose significantly reduced exhaustion within hours - even in people with bipolar disorder or alcohol use disorder. The treatment was well-tolerated and worked quickly, offering hope for those struggling with persistent fatigue that hasn't improved with standard medications.
Abstract
Fatigue is a multidimensional condition that may overlap with depression. Initial studies found that fatigue responds in only a limited way to stan...
Can mind-altering prescription medicines be safe? Lessons from ketamine and esketamine.
Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) – August 01, 2024
Summary
As psychedelics gain medical acceptance, ketamine and its newer cousin esketamine reveal striking differences in safety outcomes. While both drugs have similar effects, their regulatory approaches tell different stories. Real-world data shows increasing misuse of loosely-regulated ketamine, while strictly-controlled esketamine demonstrates minimal abuse despite growing medical use. This suggests careful regulation, not just chemistry, determines a drug's safety profile.
Abstract
Recent decades have witnessed an extraordinary global crisis of drug misuse. Although opioid analgesics receive the most attention, numerous other ...
The efficacy and safety of ketamine in the treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus: a systematic review.
Journal of neurology – July 01, 2024
Summary
When severe epileptic seizures don't respond to standard treatments, the anesthetic ketamine offers hope. Analysis of hospital data shows this medication effectively stops super-refractory status epilepticus - a dangerous form of continuous seizures - with fewer side effects than alternatives. Early administration proved particularly beneficial, with patients showing significant improvement in seizure control and recovery outcomes.
Abstract
Ketamine, as an anesthetic, has been considered for terminating status epilepticus (SE); however, due to the urgency and severity of the condition,...
Associations between substance use treatment and ketamine use: A hypothesis-generating analysis.
Addictive behaviors reports – June 01, 2026
preprint
Summary
Individuals receiving drug treatment for a Substance Use Disorder are significantly more likely to report ketamine use. Among 173,808 participants, 1.39% of those in treatment used ketamine, compared to just 0.22% not in treatment. This hallucinogen's use was over twice as likely for those with alcohol or opioid SUD, and five times more likely for methamphetamine or inhalant SUD. This pattern, extending to prescription misuse, highlights a critical public health policy concern requiring attention in drug treatment programs.
Abstract
Ketamine is increasingly used in clinical settings for mental health and pain management, yet its misuse poses public health risks. While prior stu...
Blood biomarker changes and relationships after low dose oral ketamine treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
medRxiv Preprint Server – March 02, 2025
Summary
Though ketamine shows promise for PTSD, its biological impact has been largely unknown. Recent research explored how low-dose oral ketamine affects blood biomarkers in 25 individuals with PTSD over six weeks. A key finding revealed a novel interaction between brain-related biomarkers, BDNF and VEGF-A, which decreased after treatment. This suggests a potential biological mechanism for the observed PTSD symptom reduction. Additionally, new links were found between FKBP51 and serotonin levels and clinical improvements. This pioneering work offers important insights into how ketamine treatment may work at a biological level.
Abstract
Ketamine has been investigated as a treatment alternative for PTSD for the last 20 years, yet there have been virtually no reports of biological ch...
Attitudes and Perceptions of Portuguese Psychiatrists and Psychologists on the Clinical Use of Ketamine.
Acta medica portuguesa – May 02, 2025
Summary
Portuguese mental health professionals show cautious optimism about ketamine's potential in treating stubborn depression. In a nationwide survey, 59% of psychiatrists and psychologists expressed openness to using ketamine therapeutically, though only 36% felt well-informed about it. While psychiatrists showed more confidence in ketamine's treatment potential than psychologists, both groups want more training before using it with patients.
Abstract
Ketamine has garnered attention for its rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression, offering a novel mecha...
Comparative Evaluation of analgesic efficacy of ketamine and magnesium sulfate as adjuvants to bupivacaine for scalp block in supratentorial Craniotomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind clinical study.
Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia – July 01, 2025
Summary
Adding ketamine to local anesthetics during scalp blocks can triple the duration of pain relief after brain surgery. This breakthrough finding shows that combining ketamine with standard nerve blocks provides superior pain control compared to using magnesium sulfate or no additives. Patients receiving ketamine needed significantly less pain medication and reported better comfort levels for up to 13 hours post-surgery.
Abstract
Effective pain management during craniotomy is crucial for optimizing hemodynamics, recovery, and patient satisfaction. This study evaluated the ef...
Impact analysis of expanded access to ketamine for treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of comparative effectiveness research – June 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine treatment could save the US healthcare system over $828 million annually while helping thousands more patients with severe depression. Using advanced simulation techniques, researchers found that expanding ketamine access would allow 75,000 more patients to receive care in the first year compared to traditional electroconvulsive therapy. The Markov model showed ketamine was equally effective but more cost-efficient for treatment-resistant depression, benefiting both patients and insurers.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to estimate the economic impacts of expanded access to ketamine relative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) by offering intra...
Effects of ketamine on fear memory extinction: a review of preclinical literature.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows promise in treating PTSD by helping people overcome traumatic memories. Recent findings reveal that ketamine may enhance fear extinction—a process where threatening memories lose their emotional power. This molecular mechanism could complement CBT, making it easier for patients to process trauma. While timing and dosage are crucial factors, ketamine's ability to modify fear memories offers hope for improved PTSD treatments.
Abstract
Ketamine, a multimodal dissociative anesthetic, is widely used as a trauma analgesic in emergency situations. Ketamine is also used to treat psychi...
Recreational Ketamine Use among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: Demographics, Motivations, and Polysubstance Use.
Substance use & misuse – May 01, 2025
Summary
Nearly 1 in 3 people with opioid use disorder report using ketamine, with many attempting self-treatment for withdrawal symptoms and mental health concerns. Urban males are more likely to use ketamine, often alongside other substances like marijuana and alcohol. While some users seek therapeutic effects, others pursue recreational experiences. The findings highlight complex relationships between ketamine and opioid use, with both potential risks and self-medication patterns emerging.
Abstract
Data show that recreational ketamine use appears to be increasing. This study aimed to understand how ketamine fits into broader polysubstance use ...
Glutamate plus glutamine to GABA ratio as a predictor of ketamine response in treatment-resistant depression: A double-blind, randomized, open-label extension study.
Journal of affective disorders – August 15, 2025
Summary
Brain chemistry holds the key to predicting ketamine's effectiveness in hard-to-treat depression. Scientists found that measuring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory brain chemicals can forecast who will respond best to ketamine therapy. Using advanced brain imaging, researchers discovered that patients with a higher ratio of glutamate to GABA in a specific brain region showed greater improvement. This breakthrough helps doctors better identify which patients with treatment-resistant depression may benefit most from ketamine treatment.
Abstract
Approximately 30 % of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) respond to ketamine; however, no replicable predictors of response have be...
Sex specific effects of ketamine, but not other glutamate receptor modulators, on ethanol self-administration and reinstatement of ethanol seeking in rats.
Psychopharmacology – April 08, 2025
Summary
Female rats showed unique responses to ketamine in reducing alcohol consumption, revealing important sex differences in addiction treatment. The research explored how ketamine and similar drugs affect alcohol-seeking behavior in rats under stress conditions. While ketamine significantly reduced alcohol consumption in females at specific doses, it had minimal effect in males. Interestingly, memantine worked for both sexes, while hydroxynorketamine showed no impact. These findings suggest sex-specific approaches may be crucial for treating alcohol disorders.
Abstract
Alcohol use and major depressive disorder are frequently comorbid, with individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder being nearly three time...
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) partially modulates ketamine's sustained anxiolytic effects without altering its antidepressant properties in female rats.
Psychoneuroendocrinology – July 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable effects on depression vary between males and females, with women often showing better responses. New findings reveal that while estrogen receptors influence anxiety relief from ketamine treatment, they don't affect its powerful antidepressant benefits in females. The research used specialized techniques to block estrogen signaling in female rats, showing that ketamine continued to lift depression symptoms regardless of estrogen activity. However, its anxiety-reducing effects were partially dependent on these hormone pathways.
Abstract
Ketamine is a rapid-acting antidepressant with sexually dimorphic effects. Female animals exhibit a higher sensitivity to its antidepressant proper...
Monoamine neurotransmitter-related gene-based genome-wide association study of low-dose ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 24, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research from Taiwan reveals how ketamine's antidepressant effects work through multiple brain chemical pathways. Scientists conducted a genome-wide association study of patients with treatment-resistant depression, finding that ketamine's effectiveness links to genes controlling various monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine systems. The results explain why low-dose ketamine can help patients who don't respond to standard treatments.
Abstract
Low-dose ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that exerts an antidepressant effect on patients with treatment-resistant depressi...
Alleviating role of ketamine in breast cancer cell-induced osteoclastogenesis and tumor bone metastasis-induced bone cancer pain through an SRC/EGR1/CST6 axis.
BMC cancer – December 18, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, commonly known as an anesthetic, shows promising potential in fighting breast cancer's spread to bones and reducing associated pain. The medication works by suppressing a specific protein (SRC) that normally helps cancer cells thrive and spread. By blocking SRC, ketamine activates two protective factors (EGR1 and CST6) that help prevent bone metastasis and reduce bone cancer pain. Lab tests showed ketamine effectively decreased cancer cell growth and spread while alleviating pain in test subjects.
Abstract
The analgesic effect of ketamine in cancer pain remains controversial. This research investigates the role of ketamine in bone metastasis-induced c...
Intravenous ketamine versus electroconvulsive therapy for major depressive disorder or bipolar depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Journal of affective disorders – February 15, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking treatments for severe depression show that IV ketamine works faster than traditional electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In comparing these treatments for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, ketamine provided quicker symptom relief within 24 hours. While both approaches proved equally effective long-term, ketamine caused temporary vision changes and dizziness, whereas ECT's main side effect was muscle pain.
Abstract
Intravenous (IV) ketamine has been evaluated alongside electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in addressing major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar dep...
Ketamine Analgo-sedation for Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Adults: A Rapid Practice Guideline from the Saudi Critical Care Society and the Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.
Anesthesia and analgesia – August 29, 2024
Summary
New guidelines reveal ketamine, a powerful sedative, may not be the best solo option for critically ill patients on ventilators. Analysis of 26 studies covering 2,800+ patients shows that while ketamine combined with other sedatives might slightly reduce time on ventilation, its benefits as a standalone treatment remain unclear. Healthcare teams are advised to use ketamine as a supplement rather than primary sedative.
Abstract
This Rapid Practice Guideline (RPG) aimed to provide evidence‑based recommendations for ketamine analgo-sedation (monotherapy and adjunct) versus n...
Use of Early Ketamine Sedation and Association With Clinical and Cost Outcomes Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Critical care explorations – July 01, 2024
Summary
Early ketamine treatment for COVID-19 patients on ventilators may have unexpected drawbacks. In a study of over 42,000 ventilated COVID patients across 610 US hospitals, those receiving ketamine showed higher mortality rates (52.5% vs 45.9%) and longer ICU stays. Treatment also led to increased hospital costs and longer time on ventilators, challenging assumptions about ketamine's benefits in critical care.
Abstract
To describe the utilization of early ketamine use among patients mechanically ventilated for COVID-19, and examine associations with in-hospital mo...
Environmental enrichment enhances the antidepressant effect of ketamine and ameliorates spatial memory deficits in adult rats.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – July 01, 2024
Summary
Enriched environments combined with ketamine show promising results in fighting depression. When rats were given ketamine while living in stimulating environments with toys and social interaction, they showed significantly reduced behavioral despair and improved spatial memory compared to those in standard cages. The treatment activated specific brain regions, including the habenula, and increased C-Fos protein levels, indicating enhanced neural activity. This breakthrough suggests that enriched environments can boost ketamine's antidepressant effects while minimizing side effects.
Abstract
Ketamine is a rapid-acting antidepressant associated with various cognitive side effects. To mitigate these side effects while enhancing efficacy, ...
Number needed to treat (NNT) for ketamine and esketamine in adults with treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of affective disorders – July 01, 2024
Summary
For every 3 people with difficult-to-treat depression, one person responds positively to ketamine treatment within a week. This groundbreaking analysis of over 2,000 patients reveals both ketamine and esketamine's remarkable efficacy against treatment-resistant depression. The number needed to treat (NNT) shows ketamine works quickly, with benefits appearing within hours and lasting weeks. While traditional antidepressants often fall short, these treatments offer new hope with minimal risks.
Abstract
Ketamine has been established as efficacious in adults living with Treatment-resistant Depression (TRD). Toward providing a quantifiable estimate o...
Intravenous S-ketamine's analgesic efficacy in third molar surgery. A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.
British journal of pain – April 01, 2024
Summary
Intravenous S-ketamine shows promise in managing postoperative pain after oral surgery, offering an alternative to traditional opioid painkillers. In this pain management study, researchers tested two different doses of S-ketamine against a placebo during wisdom tooth removal. Patients receiving the higher dose experienced significantly less pain during the first 24 hours after surgery and waited longer before needing additional pain medication. This suggests S-ketamine could be an effective option for postoperative pain control while avoiding opioid-related concerns.
Abstract
In most cases, a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen are the optimal treatment for postoperative pain in third molar surgery. If stronger anal...