Ketamine as a therapeutic agent in major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder: Potential medicinal and deleterious effects.
Ibrain January 1, 2023 Bhuvi Sachdeva, Punya Sachdeva, Shampa Ghosh et al. 27 citations
Ketamine, an anesthetic with known psychedelic and psychotropic effects and associated neurotoxicity, is reviewed as a potential therapeutic for major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDD affects 300 million people worldwide and involves symptoms such as anhedonia, fatigue, and suicidal ideation; PTSD similarly includes anhedonia and hypervigilance after trauma. The article discusses ketamine's mechanisms of action, findings from clinical trials, and possible side effects, suggesting it may offer an effective treatment option for these debilitating conditions, though its toxicity remains a concern.