Studying the antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in patients with major depressive disorder

This randomised controlled trial (n=30) investigates the antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine (35mg/70kg; 2x) as an add-on therapy for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Registered on ANZCTR with the identifier ACTRN12615000566538, the study, conducted in Singapore, is led by Dr Johnson Fam from the National University of Singapore, with funding from the university and support from the National University Hospital.

The trial, approved by the NHG Domain Specific Review Board, commenced enrolment on June 4, 2015. Participants, aged 21 to 65, experiencing a major depressive episode with a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score of at least 20, will receive intravenous ketamine (0.5mg/kg) or comparator interventions, with assessments including clinical scales and functional connectivity with MRI.

The primary outcome is the change in depression severity using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The study aims to explore the add-on effects of intravenous ketamine to standard oral antidepressant treatment, hypothesizing that this combination may bring about more rapid antidepressant effects compared to oral antidepressant treatment alone.

Topic Depression
Compound Ketamine
Country Singapore
Visit trial
Status Unknown status
Results Published No
Start date 04 July 2015
End date 04 July 2018
Phase Phase II Phase III
Design Open
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 30
Sex All
Age 21- 65
Therapy No

Trial Details

This randomised controlled trial aims to study the add-on effects of intravenous ketamine to standard oral antidepressant treatment. We hypothesise that this combination may bring about more rapid antidepressant effects compared with oral antidepressant treatment alone.

Trial Number ACTRN12615000566538

Data attribution

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