Chronic administration of ketamine induces depression in Wistar rat, but does not affect sexual function

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by periodic shift in positive symptoms (conceptual disorganization, delusions, hallucinations, hyperactivity, stereotypy behaviour etc.) and negative symptoms (social withdrawal, loss of function, anhedonia, decreased emotional expression, impaired concentration, and diminished social engagement).1,2 Anhedonia in experimental rats is marked by decrease in intracranial self-stimulation, consumption of sucrose solution, and sexual behavior.3 Depression is associated with different degrees of sexual dysfunction and population suffering from sexual dysfunction are frequently depressed.3,4 An acute dose of ketamine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist is reported to relieve pain induced depression while a chronic dose of ketamine is reported to induce depression.5,1,2