NMDA Antagonists for Catatonia Management: Amantadine, Memantine, and Ketamine
June 30, 2025 DOI: 10.64239/pi-vl9408 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Amantadine Memantine Ketamine |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | The authors state that NMDA antagonists such as amantadine and memantine are third-line treatments for catatonia, typically used to augment benzodiazepines rather than as monotherapy. They report that ketamine is not recommended for catatonia despite a 91% response rate in some cases, citing unpredictability and the potential to worsen symptoms. |
Abstract
NMDA antagonists like amantadine and memantine are considered third-line treatments for catatonia after benzodiazepines and ECT. NMDA antagonists can be used as monotherapy for catatonia but are most commonly employed as augmentation to benzodiazepines. Despite a 91% response rate in some cases, ketamine is not recommended for catatonia due to its unpredictability and potential to worsen symptoms.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms | 2018 | Review | |
| Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant | 2018 | Review | |
| 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 Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings) | 2013 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement |