Beyond therapeutic potential: a systematic investigation of ketamine misuse in patients with depressive disorders.
Keshav Juneja, Sabah Afroze, Zeel Goti, Sweta Sahu, Shivani Asawa, Hamsa Priya Bhuchakra, Balaganesh Natarajan
Discover Mental Health July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00077-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with major depressive disorder undergoing ketamine treatment |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Ketamine treatment Misuse Rapid-acting antidepressants Drug safety protocols Antidepressant therapy Substance abuse prevention |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | The wide range of reported ketamine abuse prevalence highlights the need for standardized criteria, and the authors introduced a screening questionnaire and algorithm to detect misuse in this population. |
Abstract
Ketamine, a pharmacological agent that acts as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, has garnered considerable interest because of its notable and expeditious antidepressant properties observed in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) who exhibit resistance to conventional therapeutic interventions. A comprehensive and rigorous systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of ketamine abuse undergoing ketamine treatment for depressive disorders. A comprehensive search was conducted across the electronic databases to identify pertinent studies published between 2021 and 2023. The present investigation incorporated a comprehensive range of studies encompassing the abuse or misuse of ketamine, including case reports, observational studies, and clinical trials. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted in accordance with predetermined criteria. The findings of this systematic review demonstrate the importance of monitoring and addressing ketamine abuse in patients receiving ketamine treatment for depressive disorders like MDD. The wide range of reported prevalence rates highlights the need for standardized criteria and measures for defining and assessing ketamine abuse. This study presents a significant contribution to the field by introducing a novel screening questionnaire and assessment algorithm designed to identify and evaluate ketamine misuse among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients undergoing ketamine treatment. This innovative tool holds the potential to enhance clinical practice by providing healthcare professionals with a standardized approach to promptly detect and address ketamine misuse. The integration of this screening tool into routine care protocols can facilitate more effective monitoring and management of ketamine misuse in this population, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and safety.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Safety considerations and risk mitigation strategies for ketamine use: a comprehensive review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery May 1, 2025
- Treating addiction with an addictive drug: the ketamine paradox revisited Frontiers in Psychiatry July 9, 2026
- Treatment and management approaches for ketamine misuse: A systematic review of medical interventions Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment July 1, 2026
Cites 33
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant Molecular Psychiatry March 13, 2018
- Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine Adjunctive to Oral Antidepressant Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression JAMA Psychiatry December 27, 2017
- Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation American Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2021
and 28 more in the library