Ketamine infusions were well tolerated and produced greater reductions than midazolam in depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and socio-occupational functioning, though most findings were suggestive rather than statistically significant. The authors suggest ketamine may help improve depressive symptoms and promote functional recovery in adults with borderline personality disorder.
Abstract
symptoms of depression and anxiety and evaluated socio-occupational functioning. Twenty-two participants were randomized to treatment. The infusions were well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Most of the findings were suggestive but not statistically significant. Post-infusion scores on the primary outcome decreased more in the ketamine group than in the midazolam group. The greatest magnitude of change in suicidal ideation occurred on day 1, with greater change in the ketamine group. The ketamine group also experienced greater change in depressive symptoms by day 3 of follow-up, and improvements in socio-occupational functioning were significantly correlated with reductions in depression at 2 weeks in the ketamine group. The study’s authors wrote that “this first randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of ketamine for adults with BPD provides initial safety data and suggests that ketamine may help to improve depressive symptoms and promote functional recovery in this underserved clinical group.” [Fineberg, S., et al. (2023). Neuropsychopharmacol. https:// doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01540-4]