Neurophysiological Markers of (Dis)Connectedness: Insights from Ketamine
Naji Alnagger, Paolo Cardone, Javier Montupil, Jitka Annen, Charlotte Martial, Vincent Bonhomme, Olivia Gosseries
Neuromethods 2025 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4603-8_8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Neurophysiology Consciousness Disconnection Persistent vegetative state Neuroimaging Anesthetic agent Electroencephalography |
| Key findings | Argues that ketamine at anesthetic doses produces a state of dissociation or disconnection rather than unconsciousness, making it a useful tool for consciousness research. |
Abstract
AbstractKetamine is a versatile N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonist used in various clinical settings. Ketamine dose-dependently induces psychoactive effects: at low, anti-hyperalgesic doses, these are minor or not detectable, but at subanesthetic doses, they may include dissociative, psychotomimetic, and psychedelic events. At an anesthetic dose, ketamine leads to a state of “(full) dissociation” or disconnection rather than unconsciousness, setting it apart from other anesthetics. This unique set of characteristics makes ketamine a particularly interesting substance for studying consciousness in clinical settings.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms | 2018 | Review | |
| Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant | 2018 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings) | 2013 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement |
Citations in the library
Cites 46
- A Theoretically Based Index of Consciousness Independent of Sensory Processing and Behavior Science Translational Medicine August 14, 2013
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Theories of consciousness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience July 1, 2022
- Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation American Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2021
- Breakdown of within- and between-network Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Connectivity during Propofol-induced Loss of Consciousness Anesthesiology September 30, 2010
and 41 more in the library