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Ketamine for Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review

Jaylyn Thompson, David F Lo, Alexis Foschini, Suvan Sundaresh, Don D. Shamilov

Research Posters May 2, 2024 DOI: 10.31986/issn.2689-0690_rdw.stratford_research_day.105_2024 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed
Population Women undergoing cesarean section
Intervention Ketamine
Topics Depression Esketamine Ketamine
Key findings Ketamine may reduce postpartum depression symptoms after cesarean section, but some studies reported no significant effects and further research is needed.

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to explore perinatal ketamine’s potential for reducing postpartum depression after cesarean section. Articles reviewed from Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using specific search terms. 8 final papers were used for review after excluding duplicates and irrelevant titles and abstracts. Ketamine showed potential in reducing postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, although some studies reported no significant effects. All studies were randomized control trials. Ketamine may help prevent or lessen postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, but more research is needed to understand dosing and its casual relationship with PPD in this context.

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Ketamine and Other NMDA Antagonists: Early Clinical Trials and Possible Mechanisms in Depression Participants with major depression in placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized... 2015 Systematic review and meta-analysis
Side-effects associated with ketamine use in depression: a systematic review. Patients with depression 2018 Systematic review
Comparative efficacy of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis Adults with unipolar or bipolar major depression 2020 Systematic review and meta-analysis n = 1,877
Single-dose infusion ketamine and non-ketamine N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of efficacy, safety and time trajectories Patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar depression 2016 Systematic review and meta-analysis n = 588
The use of ketamine as an antidepressant: a systematic review and meta‐analysis People with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder receiving ketamine infusion 2015 Meta-analysis n = 437

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