Ketamine: old dogs, new tricks

Abstract

Ketamine is one of the oldest intravenous anaesthetic agents that is still in clinical use. Its unique mechanism of action and interaction with a variety of different receptors has sparked renewed interest in its use in a host of alternative clinical settings. This review briefly discusses the pharmacology of ketamine and ketamine's potential use in major depressive illness, opioid-induced acute tolerance and as a potential neuroprotective agent.