title: Effects of ketamine on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for driving ability.
abstract: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. The misuse of ketamine as a recreational drug has increased over the last decade, especially in rave parties or clubs. Short-term ketamine pilot protocols have been undertaken for treatment-resistant depressive clients. In this study, we review and comment on the evidence relating to the potential of ketamine as a causative/contributory factor in traffic accidents. To determine the causal role of ketamine in traffic accidents, a literature search on the psychomotor, cognitive, visual and perceptual functions related to safe driving was conducted. Furthermore, to interpret related data better, an overview of ketamine and its congeners' clinical pharmacology issues, recreational psychoactive effects, and identification in biological specimens is also provided.
authors.affiliation: Section of Legal Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: r.giorgetti@univpm.it.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giorgetti
authors.affiliation: Section of Legal Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marcotulli
authors.affiliation: Section of Legal Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliabracci
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schifano
mesh_terms: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D000066448:Driving Under the Influence; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D007649:Ketamine
keywords: Cognitive deterioration; Drug misuse; Drugs and driving; Ketamine