Journal of anesthesia and translational medicine

ISSN 2957-3912

2 papers in the library · 3 citations · publishing 2024-2025

Papers

The role of ketamine and its enantiomer in managing depression and pain in cancer patients: A narrative review.

Journal of anesthesia and translational medicine December 1, 2024 Michael S Bodnar, Sierra Barber, Heather S L Jim et al. 3 citations

Ketamine and its enantiomer esketamine show promise for managing both depression and pain in cancer patients. Sub-anesthetic intravenous doses can alleviate postoperative depressive symptoms with a tolerable safety profile. Research on non-intravenous routes for depression in this population is limited. Intravenous ketamine is effective for acute postoperative pain, while alternative routes like local infiltration and intramuscular injection yield mixed results but may suit patients who avoid IV. Evidence for ketamine in chronic cancer pain is inconsistent. Overall, ketamine offers a promising approach for depression and pain in oncologic patients.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jatmed.2024.10.005 Full text Anesthesia Pain management Ketamine therapy Cancer treatment +2

Mechanism of antidepressant action of ketamine and differences between its two enantiomers.

Journal of anesthesia and translational medicine September 1, 2025 Junbiao Zhan, Yuxi Zhang, Hao Tian et al.

Ketamine, a racemate of S-ketamine and R-ketamine, produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in rodent models and patients with treatment-resistant depression at subanesthetic doses. Its mechanisms involve glutamate receptors (NMDAR, AMPAR, mGluR5), molecular pathways (mTOR, ERK-CREB, PI3K/Akt), metabolites, opioid receptors, inflammation, and monoamines. S-ketamine has received FDA approval as a novel antidepressant. In rodent depression models (forced swimming test, novelty suppressed feeding, chronic social defeat stress, learned helplessness), R-ketamine showed more potent and prolonged effects without psychotomimetic side effects or abuse potential, though its clinical effects remain unclear. This review overviews ketamine's antidepressant mechanisms and differences between the two enantiomers.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jatmed.2025.06.001 Full text Antidepressant effects R-ketamine S-ketamine