Blood-based biomarkers of antidepressant response to ketamine and esketamine: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Gustavo C Medeiros, T. Gould, W. Prueitt, J. Nanavati, Michael F Grunebaum, Nuri B Farber, Balwinder Singh, S. Selvaraj, Rodrigo Machado‐Vieira, Eric D Achtyes, Sagar V Parikh, Mark A Frye, Carlos A. Zarate, Fernando S Goes
Molecular Psychiatry June 27, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01652-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,801 |
| Population | Participants in studies of ketamine or esketamine treatment, primarily patients receiving these agents for depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Across 56 studies, baseline blood-based biomarkers showed no consistent association with response to ketamine or esketamine. In longitudinal analyses, responders showed a small statistically significant increase in BDNF from pre-treatment levels (SMD 0.26), while non-responders did not (SMD 0.05); no other longitudinal biomarker had consistent support. The authors conclude there is limited evidence linking blood-based biomarkers to ketamine response and no current evidence of clinical utility. |
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) and its enantiomer (S)-ketamine (esketamine) can produce rapid and substantial antidepressant effects. However, individual response to ketamine/esketamine is variable, and there are no well-accepted methods to differentiate persons who are more likely to benefit. Numerous potential peripheral biomarkers have been reported, but their current utility is unclear. We conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis examining the association between baseline levels and longitudinal changes in blood-based biomarkers, and response to ketamine/esketamine. Of the 5611 citations identified, 56 manuscripts were included (N = 2801 participants), and 26 were compatible with meta-analytical calculations. Random-effect models were used, and effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD). Our assessments revealed that more than 460 individual biomarkers were examined. Frequently studied groups included neurotrophic factors (n = 15), levels of ketamine and ketamine metabolites (n = 13), and inflammatory markers (n = 12). There were no consistent associations between baseline levels of blood-based biomarkers, and response to ketamine. However, in a longitudinal analysis, ketamine responders had statistically significant increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) when compared to pre-treatment levels (SMD [95% CI] = 0.26 [0.03, 0.48], p = 0.02), whereas non-responders showed no significant changes in BDNF levels (SMD [95% CI] = 0.05 [−0.19, 0.28], p = 0.70). There was no consistent evidence to support any additional longitudinal biomarkers. Findings were inconclusive for esketamine due to the small number of studies (n = 2). Despite a diverse and substantial literature, there is limited evidence that blood-based biomarkers are associated with response to ketamine, and no current evidence of clinical utility.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on esketamine, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 49
- Arketamine, a new rapid-acting antidepressant: A historical review and future directions Neuropharmacology August 14, 2022
- Brain-based correlates of antidepressant response to ketamine: a comprehensive systematic review of neuroimaging studies. The Lancet Psychiatry October 1, 2023
- Personalized use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Translational Psychiatry November 29, 2024
- Molecular Pathways of the Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca, a Botanical Psychedelic and Potential Rapid-Acting Antidepressant Biomolecules November 2, 2022
- Associations between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone levels, major depression features and antidepressant effects of ketamine. Journal of Affective Disorders March 15, 2025
and 44 more in the library
Cites 52
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and 47 more in the library