Objective To evaluate the role of conventional protein kinase Cγ (cPKCγ)/growthassociated protein-43 (GAP-43) signaling pathway in ketamine-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of developing rats in an in vitro experiment.Methods Primarily cultured hippocampal neurons were seeded in culture plates at a density of 1×10.6 cells/ml and divided into 2 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table:control group (C group) and ketamine group (K group).Group C received no treatment.Ketamine was added with the final concentration of 300 μmol/L in group K.At 12 h of culture or incubation,the apoptosis in hippocampal neurons was detected by flow cytometry.The apoptotic rate was calculated.The expression of cPKCγ,GAP-43 and phosphorylated GAP-43 in hippocampal neurons was measured by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the apoptotic rates of hippocampal neurons were significantly increased,and the expression of cPKCγ,GAP-43 and phosphorylated GAP-43 was down-regulated in group K (P<0.01).Conclusion The mechanism by which ketamine induces apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of developing rats may be related to inhibition of cPKCγ/GAP-43 signaling pathway activation in an in vitro experiment.