Central sensitization and its role in chronic pain: What can ketamine do?

Abstract

Central sensitization plays a crucial role in the development of chronic pain. NMDA receptors play a key role in central sensitization. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, can help in refractory chronic pain. Although intravenous is the most common route utilized for delivery of ketamine, other routes such as oral, subcutaneous, topical and intranasal, have been explored. Here we review key research articles regarding the use of ketamine for chronic pain.

Keywords

• chronic pain
• complex regional pain syndrome
• intranasal ketamine
• ketamine
• ketamine guidelines
• neuropathic pain
• n-methyl d-aspartate receptor
• oral ketamine
• topical ketamine