A Systematic Review on Ketamine and Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidality in Adolescents: A New Hope?
Simone Pardossi, Andrea Fagiolini, Simona Scheggi, Alessandro Cuomo
Children (Basel, Switzerland) June 29, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/children11070801 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adolescents with major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, or treatment-resistant depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Adolescent depression Suicidal ideation Mental health Youth depression Innovative treatments Ketamine therapy esketamine Suicide risk |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key findings | Ketamine and esketamine show efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adolescents, with favorable safety profiles. |
Abstract
Treating depression in adolescents is a significant challenge, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are common and potentially devastating to optimal psychological and physical development in this age group. Suicide is among the leading causes of youth mortality, and TRD occurs in up to 40% of adolescents with MDD. TRD involves severe, persistent symptoms that are hard to treat, significantly reducing functioning and quality of life. We conducted a literature search focusing on key terms related to ketamine and esketamine for MDD with suicidal ideation and TRD in adolescents, aiming to review the potential utility of these molecules in adolescents for these conditions. Ketamine has shown efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms in adolescents with TRD. Esketamine has shown efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms and treating suicidal ideation in adolescents. Both ketamine and esketamine have demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability profiles. Using these drugs for serious conditions like adolescent MDD with suicidal thoughts and TRD can effectively treat symptoms, reduce self-harm and suicide risks, and provide a window for longer-term therapeutic interventions. The prompt and effective treatment of TRD could improve adolescents' quality of life. However, more research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and evaluate long-term effects.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on esketamine 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 | |
| Long-term safety of ketamine and esketamine in treatment of depression | 2022 | Review | |
| Ketamine, Esketamine, and Arketamine: Their Mechanisms of Action and Applications in the Treatment of Depression and Alleviation of Depressive Symptoms. | 2024 | Review | |
| Variations in BDNF and Their Role in the Neurotrophic Antidepressant Mechanisms of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Review. Patients with depression | 2024 | Narrative review | |
| The Possible Application of Ketamine in the Treatment of Depression in Alzheimer’s Disease | 2022 | Review |