Methodological considerations for interpreting ketamine-naltrexone trials in depression
Igor D. Bandeira, Luke A. Jelen, Jason M Tucciarone, Boris D. Heifets, Carolyn I. Rodríguez, Alan F. Schatzberg
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf073 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Depression economics Medline Clinical trial Clinical neurology Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Argues that ketamine and esketamine show rapid antidepressant effects but that long-term safety and optimal treatment protocols require further investigation. |
Abstract
Igor D Bandeira, MD, PhD, Luke A Jelen, MD, PhD, Jason M Tucciarone, MD, PhD, Boris D Heifets, MD, PhD, Carolyn I Rodriguez, MD, PhD, Alan F Schatzberg, MD
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine 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 | |
| Ketamine: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment | 2019 | Review | |
| Rapid‐acting antidepressant ketamine, its metabolites and other candidates: A historical overview and future perspective | 2019 | Review | |
| Ketamine: A tale of two enantiomers | 2020 | Review | |
| Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Low-Dose Buprenorphine Following Ketamine Treatment for Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. American Journal of Psychiatry June 1, 2026
- From psychache to neuroplasticity: A unified rescue-repair model of Ketamine's anti-suicidal action. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews June 7, 2026
- Distinct therapeutic profiles of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression: an exploratory analysis. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology May 3, 2026
- Modulation of GABA and glutamate by ketamine in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Neuropsychopharmacology September 21, 2026
Cites 6
- Attenuation of Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine by Opioid Receptor Antagonism American Journal of Psychiatry August 29, 2018
- A Single Ketamine Infusion Combined With Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Midazolam-Controlled Pilot Trial. American Journal of Psychiatry December 2, 2019
- Adjunctive Ketamine With Relapse Prevention–Based Psychological Therapy in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder American Journal of Psychiatry January 11, 2022
- Association of Combined Naltrexone and Ketamine With Depressive Symptoms in a Case series of Patients With Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry March 1, 2019
- Effect of naltrexone pretreatment on ketamine-induced glutamatergic activity and symptoms of depression: a randomized crossover study. Nature Medicine July 24, 2025
and 1 more in the library