The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
July 6, 2026
Shabah M. Shadli, Neda Nasrollahi, Calvin K. Young et al.
BACKGROUND: Neurotic disorders - major depressive disorder (MDD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and specific phobia - have differing pharmaceutical profiles. But all, even when resistant to conventional treatment (TR), respond quickly to low dose (0.5-1.0 mg/kg I.M.) ketamine....
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
February 1, 2026
Neil McNaughton, Shabah M. Shadli, Ben Beaglehole et al.
The neurotic disorders (e.g., depression, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) are costly and difficult to treat. Diagnosis is based on symptoms not biological causes. Here, we summarize New Zealand-based work developing EEG biomarkers and novel treatments. Working at the...
BJPsych Open
October 1, 2025
Ben Beaglehole, Paul Glue, Shona Neehoff et al.
5 citations
We provide preliminary support for the efficacy and tolerability of i.m. ketamine in a community sample of individuals with PTSD. Further work is required to establish the optimal dosing regimen and longer-term role of ketamine in treatment of PTSD, but our findings are encouraging given the well-known of treatments in this area.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
June 5, 2025
Ben Beaglehole, Paul Glue, Shona Neehoff et al.
19 citations
We previously completed a double-blind randomised crossover study assessing intramuscular ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TR-D), post-traumatic stress disorder (TR-PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (TR-OCD). Here, we report an extension study to explore the ongoing benefits and tolerability of maintenance oral ketamine. All participants from the original study were eligible...
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
2025
Ben Beaglehole, Paul Glue, Shona Neehoff et al.
12 citations
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may respond to ketamine treatment. To examine the responsiveness and tolerability of treatment-refractory OCD to intramuscular (IM) ketamine compared to IM fentanyl. This was a randomised double-blind psychoactive-controlled study with single doses of racemic ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg or fentanyl 50 µg (psychoactive control). Pre-dosing with 4 mg oral...
bioRxiv Preprint Server
May 30, 2021
Calvin K. Young, Kachina G. Kinley, Neil McNaughton
preprint
Depression is highly prevalent, increases suicide risk, and is now the leading cause of disability worldwide. Our ability to treat depression is hampered by the lack of understanding of its biological underpinnings and of the mode of action of effective treatments. We hypothesised that the scaffolding proteins in the medial frontal cortex play a major role in effective antidepressant action. We...
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2020
Paul Glue, Shona Neehoff, A. Sabadel et al.
97 citations
Background: We previously reported that ketamine has anxiolytic effects in patients with treatment-resistant generalized anxiety and social anxiety disorders. Aims: The purpose of this study was to replicate our earlier report about ketamine‘s anxiolytic activity, using a more robust study design. Methods: This was a double-blind, psychoactive-controlled ascending dose study in 12 patients with...