Abstract: Recently studies have shown that ketamine given to patients under mechanical ventilation and background anesthetics without adversely altering cerebral hemodynamics. More studies have also shown ketamine has neuroprotective effects. The main mechanisms may involve changing the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins, inhibiting the toxicibility of excitatory amino acid and decreasing Ca2+ influx by blockade of NMDA receptors activation. It can also inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production induced by tissue ischemia and affect the protein kinase phosphorylations related to cerebral ischemia, etc..

Key words: ketamine, cerebral ischemia, neuroprotection, review