Inhaling 50% nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for one hour and a single low dose of ketamine both alter gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex of adult mice, particularly affecting regulators of MAPK signaling pathways in pyramidal cells. Nitrous oxide produced much broader and more widespread changes in mRNA expression than ketamine. However, unlike ketamine, nitrous oxide did not increase the firing rate of putative pyramidal neurons or boost gamma brain wave activity. The findings suggest that while both substances share some molecular effects, their neural activity patterns differ markedly.
Inhaling 50% nitrous oxide for one hour and a single low dose of ketamine both alter the activity of genes that regulate mitogen-activated protein kinases in the medial prefrontal cortex of adult mice, particularly in pyramidal cells. Nitrous oxide produced much larger and more widespread changes in gene expression than ketamine. Ketamine increased the firing rate of putative pyramidal neurons and boosted gamma brain wave activity, whereas nitrous oxide did not. The findings suggest that the two drugs share a common molecular target but cause different immediate electrical changes in the brain.