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Long-Term Effects of Single and Repeated Ketamine Infusions on Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

Sofia Sakopoulos, Lisa D. Hinz

Psychoactives October 12, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives3040031 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Retrospective chart review Peer reviewed
Sample size 14
Population Patients with treatment-resistant depression
Intervention Intravenous ketamine infusions
Dose 1 mg/kg
Duration 30 days post-treatment
Topics Depression Esketamine Ketamine
Citations 4
Key findings Ketamine infusions may provide enduring antidepressant effects for individuals with treatment-resistant depression 30 days post-treatment.

Abstract

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a substantial public health burden with limited treatment options. Recent evidence suggests that single and repeated-dose ketamine infusions have rapid and significant antidepressant effects on individuals with TRD. Few studies have compared single or repeated (6) ketamine infusions past 14 days post-treatment. This retrospective chart review study investigated the long-term effects of single (n = 9) and repeated (6) (n = 5) high-dose (1 mg/kg) intravenous ketamine infusions on TRD 30 days post-infusion(s) (N = 14). Changes in depressive symptoms were measured by comparing Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores pre- and 30 days post-treatment for an understanding of long-term efficacy in clinical practice. Results indicated that ketamine has the potential to be an effective and enduring intervention for TRD, adding treatment and management options that are currently limited.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on ketamine for depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Concomitant BDNF and sleep slow wave changes indicate ketamine-induced plasticity in major depressive disorder Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder 2012 Observational cohort n = 30
Altered peripheral immune profiles in treatment-resistant depression: response to ketamine and prediction of treatment outcome Healthy controls and actively depressed patients with treatment-resistant depression... 2017 Observational cohort n = 59
Clinical Predictors of Ketamine Response in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Treatment-resistant inpatients with DSM-IV-TR-diagnosed major depressive disorder or... 2014 Post hoc analysis of pooled data from four studies n = 108
An investigation of amino-acid neurotransmitters as potential predictors of clinical improvement to ketamine in depression Drug-free patients with major depressive disorder 2011 Observational cohort n = 14
Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression Drug-free/naïve men with severe depression, no history of psychotic disorder, head... 2019 Observational cohort n = 25

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