Serial ketamine infusions not effective as adjunctive care for depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update January 24, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31401 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients receiving inpatient treatment for depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Midazolam |
| Topics | Ketamine Depression Esketamine |
| Keywords | Depression economics Placebo Midazolam Randomized controlled trial Cognition Anesthesia Clinical trial Adjunctive treatment Depressive symptoms |
| Key findings | Up to eight infusions of ketamine were not more effective than a psychoactive placebo (midazolam) in reducing depressive symptoms or improving cognition and quality of life in patients receiving inpatient treatment for depression. |
Abstract
Up to eight infusions of ketamine were not more effective than a psychoactive placebo in reducing depressive symptoms in patients receiving inpatient treatment for depression, a randomized trial has found. Patients receiving ketamine also showed no improvement relative to those receiving midazolam on measures of cognition and quality of life. Study results were published online Oct. 22, 2025 in JAMA Psychiatry .