Ketamine: A New Antidepressant?

Many individuals with major depressive disorder do not respond adequately to standard antidepressants, which also have a delay of weeks before therapeutic effects emerge. Recent studies show that a subanesthetic dose of ketamine is efficacious and safe for treating depression, though its antidepressant effects are short-lived. Psychotomimetic properties may limit ketamine's use in depressive patients. Future research should focus on identifying predictors of response, investigating different doses and routes of administration, and maintaining the antidepressant effect.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Standart antidepressants are needed for the many individuals with major depressive disorder. However they do not respond adequately to treatment and because of a delay of weeks before the emergence of therapeutic effects. Recent studies show that subanesthetic dose of ketamine is efficacy and safety for the treatment of depression. Antidepressant effects of ketamine have been found to be short-lived and its psychotomimetic properties may limit the use of ketamine to depressive patients. Future research studies should focus on identifying predictors of response (pharmalogical and clinical) , investigating application of different doses and routes of administration and maintaining antidepressant effect. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2015; 7(1): 30-40]