BACKGROUND Ketamine has been shown to have neurotoxic properties, when administered neuraxially. The mechanism of this local toxicity is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism of cytotoxicity in different human cell lines in vitro. METHODS We incubated the following cell types for 24 h with increasing concentrations of S(+)-ketamine and racemic ketamine: (i) human Jurkat T-ly...

The non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine can block the action of excitotoxic amino acids in the central nervous system. S(+) ketamine has a 2-3 times higher anesthetic potency compared with the ketamine-racemate and also shows a higher neuroprotective efficacy in vitro. To determine the neuroprotective activity of S(+) ketamine compared with its R(-) stereois...

BACKGROUND Ketamine is a frequently used intravenous anesthetic, which can reversibly induce loss of consciousness (LOC). Previous studies have demonstrated that thalamocortical system is critical for information transmission and integration in the brain. The ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) is a critical component of thalamocortical system. Glutamate is an important excitatory neurotransmit...

OBJECTIVE To examine the evidence regarding the use of ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in patients with head injury in the ED. METHOD A literature review using the key words ketamine, head injury and intracranial pressure. RESULTS Advice from early literature guiding against the use of ketamine in head injury has been met with widespread acceptance, as reflected by current practice. T...

Background N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, like ketamine, produce a rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant effect. Although the mechanism is not completely understood, ketamine is thought to preferentially target N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors on fast-spiking parvalbumin-containing interneurons. The function of parvalbumin-containing interneurons is dependent on perineuronal ne...

BACKGROUND Clinical studies demonstrate that the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, ketamine, induces rapid antidepressant effects in patients with refractive major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. This rapid onset of action makes ketamine a highly attractive drug for patients, particularly those who do not typically respond to therapy. A recent study suggested that gly...

Background Observations of drug-related cues may induce craving in drug-dependent patients, prompting compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Sexual dysfunction is common in drug users. The aim of the study was to examine regional brain activation to drug (ketamine, cigarette smoking) associated cues and natural (sexual) rewards. Methods A sample of 129 [40 ketamine use smokers (KUS), 45 non-ketami...

We studied the effects of ketamine, an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, on (1) the spontaneous saccades, (2) the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), and (3) the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) in 8 cats. Ketamine was given intramuscularly at four dosages (1, 2, 8, and 16 mg/kg). Eye movements were measured using the magnetic field-search coil technique. Ketamine did not prevent the occu...

Background Vomiting is a common side effect of ketamine in children's sedation and there is still controversy about the use of an anti-emetic drug along with ketamine to reduce this complication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ondansetron in controlling vomiting induced by intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV) ketamine for procedural sedation and analgesia in chil...

therefore their side-effects on these systems could be reduced by administering a combination of them at a lower dose.[9] In recent studies done on patients undergoing ECT, it showed that using sub-anesthetic ketamine and low-dose propofol could increase the seizure duration, provide hemodynamic stability and earlier recovery compared with the use of a full dose of propofol alone. In a study by...