Ketamine Block of NMDA Receptors and Pathophysiological Model of „NeardeathExperience“

Overview

NDE has accompanied man from time immemorial. Even though an impressive amount of workhas been done in the field of NDE explantion, many areas have remained unexplored. One of themis near-death experience produced by ketamine via NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor blockin the brain. Conditions which precipitate NDE (hypoxia, ischaemia, hypoglycaemia etc.) havebeen defined as „energy blockers“. There is lack of ATP in the brain in conditions of hypoxia.Therefore interactions between neurotransmitters and receptors are not possible and all receptors(incl. NMDA receptors) are blocked. This suggest a pathophysiological explanation.

Key words:
ATP, cerebral hypoxia, energetic barrier, glutamate, ketamine, NMDA receptors, neardeathexperience.