Ketamine: From Anaesthetic to Anti Depressant Reading Answers

Aug 8, 2025

Ketamine: From Anaesthetic to Anti Depressant Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Ketamine: From Anaesthetic to Anti Depressant Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the question set given, you have to state whether the statement is true, false or not given with the information given in the text. In the next question set, you have to match each piece of information with the correct paragraph, A—G.

The IELTS Reading section is an essential part of the test that evaluates a candidate's comprehension and analysis of various passage types. You will work through a number of IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. These questions are designed to help you improve your ability to recognise essential concepts, extract particular facts, and make inferences. Practising these IELTS reading problems can help you get comfortable with the structure and increase your confidence for the exam, regardless of whether you are studying for the Academic or General Training module.

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Section 1

KETAMINE: FROM ANAESTHETIC TO ANTIDEPRESSANT

A.Ketamine, first synthesized in 1962, was initially developed as a safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP), a dissociative anaesthetic known for causing hallucinations and neurotoxicity. Since receiving FDA approval in 1970, ketamine has been widely used in human and veterinary medicine as a fast-acting anaesthetic. However, in recent years, its potential as a treatment for major depressive disorder has drawn the attention of researchers and clinicians alike.

B.Unlike conventional antidepressants, which typically take weeks to exhibit noticeable effects, ketamine has shown the ability to produce rapid mood elevation in individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This quality has made it an attractive option for patients who have not responded to existing medications. In some trials, a single intravenous infusion of ketamine resulted in substantial mood improvement within hours, a breakthrough in the context of mental health treatment.

C.The mechanism behind ketamine's antidepressant effect is not yet fully understood. Most antidepressants act on the brain's serotonin or norepinephrine systems, whereas ketamine primarily targets the glutamate system. Specifically, it blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which play a crucial role in neural plasticity. Researchers hypothesise that this action promotes the formation of new synaptic connections in the brain, potentially "resetting" neural circuits associated with depression.

D.Despite the promising outcomes, the use of ketamine in psychiatry raises various concerns.

For one, ketamine has a history of recreational misuse due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative properties. In large doses, it can induce out-of-body experiences and confusion, earning it the nickname "Special K" on the street. This potential for abuse has led to regulatory hesitations in making the drug widely available for psychiatric treatment.

E.Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding the long-term effects of ketamine use for depression. While short-term studies show benefits, few long-term clinical trials have been completed. Repeated doses may carry risks such as cognitive impairment, bladder toxicity, and dependence. The medical community is divided: while some advocate for its cautious application under supervision, others warn against widespread adoption until more data is available.

F.The growing popularity of ketamine clinics in the United States and other countries reflects the strong demand for alternative depression therapies. These clinics often offer intravenous infusions in private settings, usually at a high cost and without insurance coverage. Although these centres report anecdotal success stories, critics argue that the commercialisation of ketamine therapy is outpacing the scientific evidence.

G.In 2019, the FDA approved a nasal spray version of ketamine called esketamine (brand name: Spravato) specifically for treatment-resistant depression. Esketamine is a derivative of ketamine, believed to have similar antidepressant effects with fewer side effects. However, even esketamine is only available under strict guidelines, including administration in certified clinics with post-dose monitoring.

Questions 1-7

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Ketamine was originally developed to replace PCP due to safety concerns.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "Ketamine, first synthesized in 1962, was initially developed as a safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP), a dissociative anaesthetic known for causing hallucinations and neurotoxicity."

Keywords: Ketamine, safer alternative, PCP

Keyword Location: Para A, Lines 1-3

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that ketamine was developed as a "safer alternative to phencyclidine (PCP)," indicating that PCP had safety concerns.

2 . Most people taking ketamine for depression experience improvements after several weeks.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Unlike conventional antidepressants, which typically take weeks to exhibit noticeable… a single intravenous infusion of ketamine resulted in substantial mood improvement within hours, a breakthrough in the context of mental health treatment."

Keywords: antidepressants, rapid mood elevation, within hours

Keyword Location: Para B, Lines 1-5

Explanation: The passage clearly states that ketamine produces rapid mood elevation and substantial mood improvement within hours, which contradicts the idea of improvements taking several weeks.

3. Ketamine impacts the serotonin system in the brain.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Most antidepressants act on the brain's serotonin or norepinephrine systems, whereas ketamine primarily targets the glutamate system."

Keywords: antidepressants, serotonin or norepinephrine

Keyword Location: Para C, Line 2

Explanation: The passage states that ketamine primarily targets the glutamate system, unlike most antidepressants that act on the serotonin or norepinephrine systems. This means ketamine does not primarily impact the serotonin system.

4. One theory suggests ketamine helps rewire the brain.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "Researchers hypothesise that this action promotes the formation of new synaptic connections in the brain, potentially 'resetting' neural circuits associated with depression."

Keywords: hypothesise, synaptic connections, neural circuits

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The passage mentions a hypothesis that ketamine helps in forming "new synaptic connections" and "resetting" neural circuits, which is a form of rewiring the brain.

5. The recreational use of ketamine has never posed any medical concerns.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "For one, ketamine has a history of recreational misuse due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative properties. In large doses, it can induce out-of-body experiences and confusion, earning it the nickname 'Special K' on the street."

Keywords: recreational misuse, hallucinogenic, dissociative properties

Keyword Location: Para D, Lines 2-3

Explanation: The passage details several negative consequences and properties associated with the recreational misuse of ketamine, indicating that it has posed medical concerns (hallucinations, confusion, etc).

6. All medical professionals agree that ketamine should be used widely for depression.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "The medical community is divided: while some advocate for its cautious application under supervision, others warn against widespread adoption until more data is available."

Keywords: medical community, some advocate, others warn

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 4-5

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that the medical community is divided on the use of ketamine, indicating that not all professionals agree on its widespread use.

7. Insurance companies in the US typically cover ketamine treatments for depression.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "These clinics often offer intravenous infusions in private settings, usually at a high cost and without insurance coverage."

Keywords: without insurance coverage

Keyword Location: Para F, Line 3

Explanation: The passage states that ketamine treatments in clinics are without insurance coverage, meaning insurance companies typically do not cover them.

Questions 8-13

Match each piece of information with the correct paragraph, A—G.

Write the correct letter Demi.

8. A version of ketamine that can be taken via the nose

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "In 2019, the FDA approved a nasal spray version of ketamine called esketamine (brand name: Spravato) specifically for treatment-resistant depression."

Keywords: nasal spray version, esketamine

Keyword Location: Para G, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Paragraph G introduces and describes a nasal spray version of ketamine (esketamine).

9. A comparison between ketamine and more traditional antidepressants

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "Unlike conventional antidepressants, which typically take weeks to exhibit noticeable effects, ketamine has shown the ability to produce rapid mood elevation in individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression."

Keywords: antidepressants, ketamine, treatment-resistant

Keyword Location: Para B, Lines 1-3

Explanation: Paragraph B explicitly compares ketamine's rapid effects to the slower action of conventional antidepressants.

10. How ketamine affects certain receptors in the brain

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Specifically, it blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which play a crucial role in neural plasticity."

Keywords: NMDA, receptors, neural plasticity

Keyword Location: Para C, Lines 3-4

Explanation: Paragraph C explains that ketamine "primarily targets the glutamate system" and "blocks NMDA... receptors."

11. The limited scientific understanding of long-term ketamine use

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding the long-term effects of ketamine use for depression. While short-term studies show benefits, few long-term clinical trials have been completed."

Keywords: uncertainties, long-term effects

Keyword Location: Para E, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Paragraph E discusses the lack of understanding and completed long-term studies regarding ketamine's effects.

12. The growing availability of ketamine treatments in private medical centres

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "The growing popularity of ketamine clinics in the United States and other countries reflects the strong demand for alternative depression therapies. These clinics often offer intravenous infusions in private settings, usually at a high cost and without insurance coverage."

Keywords: ketamine clinics, private settings

Keyword Location: Para F, Lines 1-3

Explanation: Paragraph F describes the emergence and nature of private ketamine clinics offering treatments.

13. The discovery that launched interest in ketamine's potential for mood disorders

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "However, in recent years, its potential as a treatment for major depressive disorder has drawn the attention of researchers and clinicians alike."

Keywords: treatment, depressive disorder, researchers and clinicians

Keyword Location: Para A, Line 5

Explanation: Paragraph A introduces the recent discovery of ketamine's potential as a treatment for major depressive disorder, which "has drawn the attention of researchers and clinicians alike," indicating the launch of interest.

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