Unlike conventional antidepressants – which are used to elevate concentrations of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, or noradrenaline – ketamine influences the glutamate system. Glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter, plays a central role in mediating nearly all forms of brain function, including learning, memory, cognition, and emotion.
临床医生并非唯一研究克他命潜在效果的群体。神经学家把克他命称为抑郁症药物研究50年来的第一次突破。传统抗抑郁药物用来提高血清素、多巴胺或去甲肾上腺素等神经递质的浓度，与此不同，克他命影响谷氨酸系统。谷氨酸是主要兴奋性神经递质，在传递几乎所有形式的大脑功能方面都起着核心作用，包括学习、记忆、认知和情绪。