Abstract:Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, is clinically utilized for sedation, anesthesia, and the treatment of refractory depression. However, its addictive properties restrict its broader clinical application. A dose of 0.5 mg/kg is commonly used as an antidepressant in clinical settings, while 15 mg/kg represents the dose typically associated with abuse. The effects of varying doses of ketamine on brain network activation remain unclear. In this experiment, two representative doses of ketamine, 0.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, were administered via intraperitoneal injection for 7 consecutive days. Brain network activation was assessed by examining the expression of the immediate early gene protein (cFos). The results indicated that, compared to the saline control group, 0.5 mg/kg ketamine significantly increased the number of cFos-positive cells in the medial prefrontal cortex, intermediate lateral septal nucleus, and periaqueductal gray matter. Conversely, 15 mg/kg ketamine significantly increased cFos expression in the nucleus accumbens, lateral habenula, hippocampal CA3 region, amygdala, and ventral tegmental area. These findings suggest that ketamine’s activation of brain networks is dose-dependent, with different doses activating distinct brain regions. This study provides a foundation for investigating the neuropharmacological effects of different ketamine doses and investigating brain regions associated with its antidepressant and addictive properties.