Ketamine for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: Double-blind active-controlled crossover study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine has rapid onset antidepressant activity in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

AIMS:

To evaluate mood rating, safety and tolerability data from patients with TRD treated with ketamine and the psychoactive control fentanyl, as part of a larger study to explore EEG biomarkers associated with mood response.

METHODS:

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of intramuscular racemic ketamine in 25 patients with TRD, using a double-blind active-controlled randomized crossover design. Ketamine doses were 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, and the psychoactive control was fentanyl 50 mcg, given at weekly intervals.

RESULTS/OUTCOMES:

Within 1 h of ketamine dosing, patients reported reduced depression and anxiety ratings, which persisted for up to 7 days. A dose-response profile for ketamine was noted for dissociative side effects, adverse events and changes in blood pressure; however, changes in mood ratings were broadly similar for both ketamine doses. Overall, 14/25 patients (56%) were responders (⩾50% reduction at 24 h compared with baseline) for either ketamine dose for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and 18/25 (72%) were responders for the HADS-anxiety scale. After fentanyl, only 1/25 (HADS-depression) and 3/25 (HADS-anxiety) were responders. Ketamine was generally safe and well tolerated in this population.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings add to the literature confirming ketamine's activity against depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with TRD.

• Authors: Paul Glue, Shona Neehoff, Ben Beaglehole, Shabah Shadli, Neil McNaughton, Natalie J Hughes-Medlicott
• Journal: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) (J Psychopharmacol) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 162-167 (02 2024) ISSN: 1461-7285 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 38293803 (Publication Type: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ketamine
• Antidepressive Agents
• Fentanyl

Topics

• Humans
• Ketamine (adverse effects)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Antidepressive Agents (adverse effects)
• Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Fentanyl (adverse effects)
• Depression (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome