Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning: A Neuroprotective Technique in Rodents
Published on: June 2, 2015
Neuroprotective Effects of Esketamine in Central Nervous System Disorders: Mechanisms and Cellular Targets
Chendi Zhao1, Yan Wang2, Jinglang Wu1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China.
Abstract:
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 postoperative contexts, foundational research into this molecule is progressively moving forward. Accumulating evidence suggests that ESK possesses anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antioxidant characteristics in various diseases. This review summarizes the neuroprotective effects of ESK in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. ESK-mediated cellular processes, including neuronal apoptosis, microglial polarization and astrocytic functions, are also summarized. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanisms of ESK are discussed, with a focus on inflammatory pathways and signalling cascades in neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

