Ketamine and Depression: A Review
Wesley C Ryan, Cole Marta, Ralph J. Koek
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies July 1, 2014 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2014.33.2.40 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Tolerability Depression economics Dissociative Adverse effect Anesthesia Pharmacology Cognition |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Intravenous ketamine shows rapid efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, with longer benefit in unipolar than bipolar depression and potential to reduce suicidality. |
Abstract
Ketamine, via intravenous infusions, has emerged as a novel therapy for treatment-resistant depression, given rapid onset and demonstrable efficacy in both unipolar and bipolar depression. Duration of benefit, on the order of days, varies between these subtypes, but appears longer in unipolar depression. A unique property is reduction in suicidality although data are more limited. Strategies to extend duration, via multiple doses, maintenance treatment, or subsequent augmenting medications have yielded mixed results. There is a relative paucity of data regarding alternate methods of administration such as intramuscular, intranasal, and oral routes, though preliminary results are promising. Adverse effects most reliably incl ude dissociative and sympathomimetic effects, both transient and mild, and suggest good tolerability. Ketamine's unique effects may represent an opportunity for a paradigm shift in the pharmacologic treatment of depression.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Ketamine: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment | 2019 | Review | |
| Rapid‐acting antidepressant ketamine, its metabolites and other candidates: A historical overview and future perspective | 2019 | Review | |
| Ketamine: A tale of two enantiomers | 2020 | Review | |
| Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 15, 2019
- Efficacy of Oral Ketamine Combined with Psychotherapy for Treatment Resistant Depression European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences August 5, 2021
- Breaking Sad: Unleashing the Breakthrough Potential of Ketamine's Rapid Antidepressant Effects. Drug Development Research December 2016
Cites 43
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial American Journal of Psychiatry August 28, 2013
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- A Randomized Add-on Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2010
and 38 more in the library