Esketamine for treatment of depression in Huntington's disease: A case report
Carsten Saft, Julia Jessen, David Kiefner, Georg Juckel
Journal of Huntington s Disease September 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/18796397261489245 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 60-year-old male with Huntington's disease and treatment-resistant depression |
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Duration | Three treatment days, with a three-month follow-up |
| Measures | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Key findings | Nasal esketamine was followed by a rapid mood improvement in a man with Huntington's disease and 20-year treatment-resistant depression, with his Beck Depression Inventory score dropping from 29 to 5 after three treatment days, though depression worsened again by three months (BDI 20). The authors suggest esketamine may be a treatment option for psychiatric symptoms in HD. |
Abstract
Depression and suicidal ideation are common in Huntington's disease (HD). We report a 60-year-old male with HD who suffered from treatment-resistant depression with intermittent suicidal thoughts for 20 years, irritability and apathy. Despite multiple trials of antidepressants, no sustained improvement was achieved. Under nasal esketamine treatment his mood improved dramatically after three treatment days. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score dropped from 29 to 5. In a three-month follow-up investigation depression worsened again (BDI score: 20). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of esketamine use in HD, suggesting that esketamine may be a treatment option for psychiatric symptoms in HD, particularly treatment-resistant depression.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Nasal esketamine was followed by rapid mood improvement (BDI 29 to 5 after three days), but depression worsened again by three months (BDI 20).
Synthesized
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Nasal esketamine was followed by rapid mood improvement (BDI 29 to 5 after three days), but depression worsened again by three months (BDI 20).
Synthesized
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Nasal esketamine was followed by rapid mood improvement (BDI 29 to 5 after three treatment days), but depression worsened again by three months (BDI 20).
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on esketamine for depression, most cited first.