Effect of ketamine on nerve function during spinal surgery

Effect of Ketamine on Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potentials

Phase 3 Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT06140927

This study is testing how ketamine affects nerve function in adults having spinal surgery to see if it can improve safety and pain management during the procedure.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06140927 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to investigate how ketamine affects intraoperative motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusions. Participants will receive a standard anesthetic along with increasing doses of ketamine, while MEPs will be monitored to evaluate any changes in spinal cord function. The study seeks to enhance understanding of how adjunct anesthetics like ketamine influence neurophysiological monitoring during complex spinal surgeries. This could lead to improved safety protocols and pain management strategies in surgical settings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult patients over 18 years old who are scheduled for posterior spinal fusions.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of sensitivity or allergy to ketamine, or those with certain cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the safety and efficacy of spinal surgeries by optimizing anesthetic protocols.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of ketamine in anesthesia is well-established, the specific investigation of its effects on intraoperative MEPs is a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (\>18 years of age) undergoing posterior spinal fusions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Sensitivity or allergy to ketamine.
* Schizophrenia or other psychotic conditions
* Uncontrolled hypertension with systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg
* Myocardial Infarction
* Large vascular aneurysms
* Patients on ketamine as outpatient therapy.

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Spine FusionSpine TumorSpinal Stenosis
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.