In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of ketamine, we have investigated the binding of the chiral forms of ketamine to opioid (mu, delta and kappa), phencyclidine, sigma and muscarinic receptors and we have performed detailed concentration-response experiments in the guinea-pig ileum preparation. The affinity ratios for the chiral forms at phencyclidine, mu and kappa receptors...
Plasma concentrations, maximum regional brain concentrations, and specific regional binding in the brain after administration of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg doses of (S)-ketamine were measured in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in five volunteers and were related to induced effects such as analgesia, amnesia, and mood changes. Specific binding in the brain was assessed by simultaneous...