Ketamine as a therapeutic agent for depression and pain: mechanisms and evidence.
Journal of Neurological Sciences January 1, 2022 Subha Subramanian, S. Haroutounian, B. Palanca et al. 58 citations
Ketamine, an anesthetic and NMDA receptor antagonist, is used to treat chronic pain and depression, conditions that often co-occur and may share neural pathways. Intravenous and intranasal ketamine are both effective for acute depressive episodes, with intravenous administration having higher bioavailability and providing better post-operative pain relief while reducing opioid use. Few studies have addressed ketamine's effects on concurrent depression and pain. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to compare the safety and efficacy of intravenous versus intranasal ketamine, identify ideal target populations, and determine optimal dosing for treating both conditions.