Exploring the Neuroprotective and Neuropsychiatric Symptom Management Potential of Ketamine in Alzheimer's Disease

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.