Animal study demonstrates that combining ketamine with dexmedetomidine preserves cognitive function and neuroplasticity in neonatal rats, indicating a safer pediatric anesthesia strategy.
Key Points
To investigate hippocampal neurobiological changes and long-term neurobehavioral outcomes following repeated neonatal exposure to ketamine, dexmedetomidine, or their combination.
Randomly assigned postnatal day 7 (PND7) rat pups to four groups: control (0.9% NaCl), ketamine (50 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (25 µg/kg), or combination (DEXKET) via daily intraperitoneal injections on PND8–10.
Assessed hippocampal apoptotic markers (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) and pyroptotic markers (caspase-1, gasdermin D, IL-1β, IL-18) with ELISA, alongside Western blot analysis for BDNF, GAP43, and caspase-1.
Evaluated long-term learning, memory, and attention on PND40 using the Barnes maze and novel object recognition tests.
Ketamine or dexmedetomidine administered alone significantly reduced hippocampal caspase-1 levels and impaired recognition memory and attention without altering classical apoptotic markers.
Combined ketamine and dexmedetomidine co-administration maintained hippocampal caspase-1, BDNF, and GAP43 at near-control levels while preserving recognition memory and spatial learning.