Neuroprotective Effects of Esketamine in Central Nervous System Disorders: Mechanisms and Cellular Targets
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology March 11, 2026 Chendi Zhao, Yang Wang, Jinglang Wu et al.
Esketamine (ESK), the dextrorotatory enantiomer of ketamine, is an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor. ESK is considered an effective anesthetic because of its ability to mitigate postoperative pain and opioid use. Recently, it has attracted significant research attention for its fast-acting antidepressant effects. Given the advantages of ESK in both perioperative and...