Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse, A Systematic Review
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy March 18, 2022 Jurriaan F. M. Strous, C. Weeland, Femke A. van der Draai et al. 79 citations
Long-term recreational ketamine use is associated with lower gray matter volume, reduced white matter integrity, and decreased functional connectivity between brain regions, particularly thalamocortical and corticocortical pathways. A systematic review of 16 studies involving 440 chronic users (average 2.4 grams per day for 2–9.7 years) compared with 259 drug-free controls and 44 poly-drug controls found these neuroanatomical differences. The observed brain changes may help explain cognitive and psychiatric side effects of prolonged ketamine abuse, including memory impairment and executive functioning problems. The findings suggest that efforts to curb ketamine abuse are warranted given its potential long-term effects on the brain.