The effects of ketamine and classic hallucinogens on neurotrophic and inflammatory markers in unipolar treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review of clinical trials.
Giordano Novak Rossi, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Glen B. Baker, Serdar Dursun, Rafael G. Dos Santos
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01460-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 587 |
| Population | Adults with unipolar treatment-resistant depression |
| Interventions | ketamine ayahuasca |
| Dose | 1 mL/kg oral ayahuasca; mostly intravenous 0.5 mg/kg ketamine |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Bdnf Biomarkers Psychedelics |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key findings | Changes in peripheral inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers after ketamine and classical hallucinogen administration were contradictory and inconclusive, providing no clear evidence that these biomarkers can indicate or measure antidepressant effects. |
Abstract
Although results are still preliminary, ketamine and classical hallucinogens have shown promise in recent years as novel, fast-acting antidepressants, especially for the treatment of unipolar treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Depression also seems to be related to abnormal levels of peripheral inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers, which may one day help to diagnose of this disorder. In this context, this systematic review of clinical trials evaluated the current evidence that relates the antidepressant effects of ketamine and classical hallucinogens on TRD with changes in inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers. Twelve studies were found (n = 587), 2 with oral ayahuasca (1 mL/kg) and 10 with ketamine (mostly intravenous 0.5 mg/kg) administration. Results for all biomarkers assessed were contradictory and thus inconclusive. Randomized controlled trials with bigger samples and higher statistical power are warranted to clarify if peripheral biomarkers can confidently be used to indicate and measure ketamine's and classical hallucinogens' antidepressant effect. The PROSPERO ID for this study is CRD42021249089.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Are “mystical experiences” essential for antidepressant actions of ketamine and the classic psychedelics? European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience February 27, 2024
- Molecular Pathways of the Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca, a Botanical Psychedelic and Potential Rapid-Acting Antidepressant Biomolecules November 2, 2022
- Interactive Effects of Ayahuasca and Cannabidiol in Social Cognition in Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot, Proof-of-Concept, Feasibility, Randomized-Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Major challenges in youth psychopathology: treatment-resistant depression. A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024
- Ketamine for Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A 2023 Update Canadian Journal of Health Technologies January 17, 2024
and 3 more in the library
Cites 41
- Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant Molecular Psychiatry March 13, 2018
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Neuropsychopharmacology January 26, 2019
- Activation of Serotonin 2A Receptors Underlies the Psilocybin-Induced Effects on Oscillations, N170 Visual-Evoked Potentials, and Visual Hallucinations Journal of Neuroscience June 19, 2013
- Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders November 1, 2019
and 36 more in the library