This literature review (2017) of randomized, placebo-controlled trials explores the effects of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and bipolar depression (BD). Ketamine reduced symptoms in both and is a promising compound for those who have found other treatments lacking.
Abstract of Ketamine for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression
“Introduction: Over the past decade, ketamine has been studied for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Ketamine is believed to exert its antidepressant properties through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism.
Methods: Study authors completed a literature review of seven randomized controlled trials of ketamine usage in major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.
Results: Ketamine demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over placebo or midazolam in major depressive disorder. Ketamine also exhibited a statistically significant improvement over placebo in bipolar depression.
Discussion: Ketamine has shown promise in quickly reducing symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression and bipolar depression. Using ketamine may be helpful for patients that have exhausted other therapeutic options.“
Authors: Sarah E. Grady, Travis A. Marsh, Allison Tenhouse & Kelsey Klein
Summary of Ketamine for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression: A review of the literature
Introduction
Ketamine is used for anaesthesia, analgesia, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, impaired memory and cognitive function, and visual changes in a dose-dependent manner. It is also used for the treatment of postoperative, chronic cancer, and neuropathic pain as well as procedural sedation in the emergency department.
Ketamine is given intravenously or intramuscularly for anaesthesia but can also be given orally, epidurally, intrathecally, and intranasally for pain management. It is metabolized to dehydronorketamine, norketamine, and hydroxynorketamine.
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2017.01.016
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Cite this paper (APA)
Grady, S. E., Marsh, T. A., Tenhouse, A., & Klein, K. (2017). Ketamine for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression: a review of the literature. Mental Health Clinician, 7(1), 16-23.
Study details
Compounds studied
Ketamine
Topics studied
Bipolar Disorder
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Depression
Study characteristics
Literature Review