A single dose of ketamine enhances early life stress-induced aggression with no effect on fear memory, anxiety-like behavior, or depression-like behavior in mice
Behavioral Neuroscience June 15, 2023 Caitlyn J Bartsch, Sophia Aaflaq, Jessica T. Jacobs et al.
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with antidepressant effects in humans, can worsen aggression in mice exposed to early life stress. In a mouse model, chronic social isolation followed by acute foot shock produced lasting excessive aggression. A single 10 mg/kg dose of ketamine given before the foot shock selectively increased aggression measured seven days later, without affecting sociability, anxiety, depression-like behavior, or locomotion. The findings suggest ketamine may specifically target aggression-related brain circuitry distinct from circuits governing other moods. Caution is advised when using ketamine for disorders linked to early life stress.