Ketamine—50 years in use: from anesthesia to rapid antidepressant effects and neurobiological mechanisms
Pharmacological Reports February 20, 2021 S. Kohtala
Ketamine, an anesthetic used for 50 years, has recently been studied for chronic pain, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its rapid antidepressant effects have sparked research into its mechanisms, though the neurobiological basis remains unclear due to complex dose-dependent molecular actions, active metabolites, and facilitation of synaptic plasticity. This review covers ketamine's diverse uses, focusing on its antidepressant effects at molecular, cellular, and network levels, different doses in antidepressant research, and latest hypotheses about its action.