Psychopharmacology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Subtle effects of ketamine on memory when administered following stimulus presentation.
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (e.g., PCP, ketamine) have been shown to impair learning/memory. Well documented in animal models, only limited research in humans has been reported. Findings to date are similar to results of animal studies; however, antagonists are typically administered before the learning experience. This may be problematic as memory failure could be secondary to inattention induced by the psychotomimetic effects of these drugs and/or alterations in sensory processing which can degrade the quality of the stimulus, thereby affecting the accuracy of recall. ⋯ Findings suggest that aspects of memory consolidation are affected by drugs that interfere with NMDA receptor function.