Which anesthetic agent is noted for being the least depressant on SSEPs?

Ketamine is recognized for its unique properties among anesthetic agents, particularly its relatively minimal impact on somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). This quality stems from ketamine's mechanism of action as a dissociative anesthetic, primarily blocking the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Unlike other agents, ketamine tends to preserve hemodynamic stability and often does not significantly suppress central nervous system activity, which is crucial for maintaining optimal SSEP recordings during neuromonitoring.

Due to this lower depressant effect, ketamine is often preferred in scenarios where SSEPs need to be monitored closely, such as during surgeries that necessitate the assessment of sensory pathway integrity. This makes ketamine particularly valuable in intraoperative settings where it is critical to avoid any agent that could compromise the detection of potential neural compromise.