The effects of ketamine with 60% nitrous oxide were studied on subcortical sensory evoked potentials recorded at Erb's point (N9), neck (N13) and on cortical potentials recorded at the scalp (N20) following median nerve stimulations in 7 neurologically normal patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the potentials were measured and compared with postinduction control values taken during inhalation of 60% nitrous oxide. Ketamine 2 mg.kg-1 (iv) was administered initially and incremental dose was 50 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. N20 latency decreased at 15, 30 minutes after ketamine administration from a control value of 18.7 +/- 0.9 msec to 18.2 +/- 1.1, 18.2 +/- 1.1 msec respectively, and N13-N20 interpeak latency decreased from 6.0 +/- 0.4 msec to 5.5 +/- 0.7, 5.4 +/- 0.7 msec (mean +/- SD). The author concluded that during nitrous oxide-based anesthesia, ketamine did not inhibit specific thalamoneocortical pathways.