Exploring the Neuroprotective and Neuropsychiatric Symptom Management Potential of Ketamine in Alzheimer's Disease.
Amy Avakian, Zachary I Merhavy
Cureus June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.86855 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer’s dementia Anesthesia Ketamine alzheimer's Nmda receptor antagonist Ketamine therapeutics: ketamine Treatment Potential Managing New path Alzheimer's dementia Neuropsychiatric symptoms Agitation Management Neuropharmacology: neuropharmacology Modulate brain activity Enhancing synaptic function Reducing inflammation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Ketamine shows potential for managing Alzheimer's disease through modulation of glutamatergic transmission, enhancement of synaptic plasticity via BDNF pathways, and attenuation of neuroinflammation, as well as for treating associated neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression and agitation. |
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Despite extensive research, current therapeutic options offer limited symptomatic relief without altering disease progression. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist traditionally used as an anesthetic, has garnered attention for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects and potential neuroprotective properties. This narrative review examines ketamine's emerging role in AD, focusing on its mechanisms of action, including modulation of glutamatergic transmission, enhancement of synaptic plasticity via brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways, and attenuation of neuroinflammatory processes. This paper also explores ketamine's efficacy in managing neuropsychiatric symptoms prevalent in AD, such as depression and agitation. While preliminary findings are promising, further research is necessary to establish ketamine's safety and efficacy in this context.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment | 2019 | Review | |
| Rapid‐acting antidepressant ketamine, its metabolites and other candidates: A historical overview and future perspective | 2019 | Review | |
| Ketamine: A tale of two enantiomers | 2020 | Review | |
| Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant Molecular Psychiatry March 13, 2018
- Ketamine and rapid-acting antidepressants: a new era in the battle against depression and suicide F1000Research May 24, 2018
- Ketamine: Neuroprotective or Neurotoxic? Frontiers in Neuroscience September 10, 2021
- Is there evidence for using ketamine among individuals with dementia? Journal of International Medical Research June 1, 2024
- Can ketamine therapy overcome treatment-resistant depression in Alzheimer's disease and older adults? Preclinical and clinical evidence. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie July 1, 2025
and 1 more in the library