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Effects of subanesthetic repeated esketamine infusions on memory function and NGF in patients with depression: An open-label study.

Qiongyao Yang, Yitan Yao, Xiaoping Yuan, Chuanchuan Chen, Yue Wang, Huanzhong Liu, Kai Zhang

Journal of Affective Disorders January 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.162 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Open-label trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 132
Population Patients with depression
Intervention Esketamine
Dose 0.4 mg/kg
Duration 11 days
Topics Depression Ketamine Esketamine
Keywords Antidepressant Cognition Nerve growth factor Depression treatment Ketamine therapy Mental health research Cognitive enhancement Neuroscience advances
Citations 3
Key findings Esketamine infusions improved depressive symptoms and memory function, and increased plasma NGF levels, with baseline memory function negatively associated with NGF changes.

Abstract

Subanesthetic ketamine is a rapidly acting antidepressant, yet the effects of ketamine on cognitive function are inconsistent. The primary objective of this study was to explore the effects of esketamine on memory function and plasma levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with depression. A total of 132 patients with depression completed six intravenous esketamine infusions (0.4 mg/kg) over 11 days. Depressive symptoms and neurocognitive function were assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Plasma NGF levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean MADRS score of depressed patients decreased from 32.11 ± 10.06 to 15.10 ± 8.62 after six infusions. Significant improvement in immediate memory, language, attention, and delayed memory were observed. NGF plasma levels increased from 226.13 ± 61.73 to 384.37 ± 56.89. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between memory function and NGF levels at baseline. The baseline memory function was negatively associated with the changes in NGF levels. The major limitation of this study is the open-label design. Subanesthetic esketamine infusions could improve depressive symptoms and neurocognitive function. Our study showed increased plasma NGF levels in depressed patients after treatment, suggesting that NGF may play a role in the improvement of memory function by esketamine.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on esketamine for depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Esketamine Nasal Spray Plus Oral Antidepressant in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression Adults (≥ 18 years) with treatment-resistant depression 2020 Phase 3, open-label, multicenter, long-term study n = 802
Long-Term Safety and Maintenance of Response With Esketamine Nasal Spray in Participants With Treatment-Resistant Depression: Interim Results of the SUSTAIN-3 Study Adults with treatment-resistant depression 2023 Open-label, long-term extension study n = 1,148
Safety and efficacy with esketamine in treatment-resistant depression: long-term extension study. Adults with treatment-resistant depression who participated in ≥1 of 6 phase 3 parent... 2025 Open-label, single-arm long-term extension study n = 1,148
Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression and Comorbid Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Open-Label Single-Arm Pilot Study Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and comorbid post-traumatic... 2022 Open-label, single-arm, retrospective pilot study n = 11
Rapid and long-lasting effects of subcutaneous esketamine on suicidality: An open-label study in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Treatment-resistant depressive patients 2024 Open-label clinical trial n = 18

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