Synthesis and N‑Methyl‑d‑aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Activity of Ketamine Metabolites

Ketamine is rapidly metabolized in the human body to a variety of metabolites, including the hydroxy­norketamines. At least two hydroxy­norketamines have significant antidepressant action in rodent models, with limited action against the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The synthesis of 12 hydroxy­norketamines and their binding affinity to the NMDA receptor is presented here.