Neurocognitive function in recreational ketamine: A scoping review

Introduction: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that acts as an antagonist to NMDA receptors, which play a crucial role in strengthening learning and memory. Not surprisingly, its repeated use may be associated withimpaired cognitive functions.

Objective:The aim of this paper is to carry out a scoping review of the scientificliterature on the neurocognitive effects of recreational ketamine use.

Method:A bibliographic search wasconducted in PyscINFO, PubMed, S copus and Web of Science for the period 2000-2020. Eventually, 25 originalarticles were included in the review.

Results and conclusions:The findings reveal that 1) acute ketamine useproduces deficits in working memory, se- mantic memory, and episodic memory, 2) frequent ketamine use hasbeen associated with impairment in episodic memory and possibly in learning, executive function, attention, andsemantic memory, 3) people diagnosed with ketamine use disorder have deficits in visual and verbal episodic memory, working memory and attention, 4) deficits detected may improve and even be reverted after a period of abstinence