Cognitive changes in patients with unipolar TRD treated with IV ketamine: A systematic review.
Veronica Grasso, Gilmar Gutierrez, Najat Alzbeidi, Carolina Hernandorena, Gustavo Vazquez
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry December 20, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111095 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Patients with unipolar treatment-resistant depression |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Intravenous ketamine Neurocognitive performance Treatment- resistant depression Iv ketamine Mental processing Brain function Treatment-resistant depression trd Refractory depression |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Intravenous ketamine treatment shows promise in improving neurocognitive function in patients with unipolar treatment-resistant depression, though variability in outcomes and study limitations constrain the findings. |
Abstract
Unipolar treatment-resistant depression (MDD-TRD) is associated with neurocognitive impairment. Ketamine, an emerging treatment for MDD-TRD, may have neurocognitive benefits, but evidence remains limited. We conducted a systematic search on EMBASE, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and PubMed and included studies exploring the cognitive effects of intravenous (IV) ketamine treatment in the management of MDD-TRD following the PRISMA guidelines. We analyzed cognitive scale score changes pre- and post-IV ketamine treatment and the quality of the evidence using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Out of 1171 identified studies, fourteen studies were included in this study. Most studies reported positive cognitive outcomes post-ketamine treatment, including improvements in processing speed, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive function, attention, emotional processing, and auditory verbal episodic memory. Variability existed, with one study reporting negative effects on verbal memory. Overall, studies exhibited a low risk of bias. Several limitations impacted the results observed, including confining our scope to articles in English, heterogeneity of the included studies, small sample sizes, and the predominance of a female, Western, and Caucasian population, constraining the generalizability of the findings. IV ketamine treatment shows promise in improving neurocognitive function in MDD-TRD patients. However, further research is warranted to elucidate long-term effects, control for confounders such as concomitant medications, and explore neurocognitive subgroups within the TRD population. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive assessment and management of cognitive symptoms in TRD, informing future clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Intravenous ketamine versus electroconvulsive therapy for major depressive disorder or bipolar depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders February 15, 2025
- Sex differences in placebo and antidepressant response to intranasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression Molecular Psychiatry February 18, 2026
- Effects of Ketamine and Esketamine on Cognitive Functions in Treatment-Resistant Depression Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar September 30, 2025
- [Subanesthetic Dose Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: An Application Protocol at a Public Hospital in Argentina]. Vertex Revista Argentina de Psiquiatría July 10, 2025
- Multimodal predictors of response to intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression: toward personalized treatment in major depressive and bipolar disorders. CNS Spectrums September 28, 2026
Cites 17
- The effect of a single dose of intravenous ketamine on suicidal ideation: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis American Journal of Psychiatry October 3, 2017
- Ketamine use: a review Addiction July 21, 2011
- Comparative efficacy of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis Journal of Affective Disorders September 23, 2020
- Ketamine: 50 Years of Modulating the Mind Frontiers in Human Neuroscience November 29, 2016
- Ketamine versus ECT for Nonpsychotic Treatment-Resistant Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine May 24, 2023
and 12 more in the library