Ketamine: An emerging agent in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Nathan Menke, Elizabeth Hoffman, Kelsey Gaylor, Ahmad Shobassy
Asian journal of psychiatry April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104351 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine's unique properties—including its safety, modulation of multiple neurotransmitter systems, and ability to promote neuroplastic changes—make it promising for neuropsychiatric disorders beyond anesthesia. This overview discusses its emerging uses in treating substance use disorders (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioids), withdrawal syndromes (opioid and alcohol), acute and chronic pain, and severe psychomotor agitation. While ketamine's role in depression and suicidality is well established, the paper focuses on these less common indications.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Cannabis Ketamine |
| Keywords | Addiction treatment Substance dependence Mental health interventions Acute pain Alcohol withdrawal |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Ketamine shows emerging potential for treating substance use disorders, withdrawal syndromes, pain syndromes, and psychomotor agitation beyond its established use for depression and suicidality. |
Abstract
Ketamine's unique pharmacological profile, safety, modulation of multiple neurotransmitter systems, and ability to produce neuroplastic changes make it a subject of study with implications for a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders beyond its traditional use as an anesthetic agent. This article aims to provide an overview of the pharmacology of ketamine and briefly discuss its emerging use in treating: substance use disorders (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids); withdrawal syndromes (opioid and alcohol); acute and chronic pain syndromes; and severe psychomotor agitation. Ketamine for the treatment of depression and suicidality is well established; however, the focus of this paper is to outline less common indications.