This ascending single-dose study (n=12) evaluates the dose-related effects of ketamine (18-70mg/70kg) on patients with anxiety symptoms with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders. Ten of the twelve participants (83%) found relief for up to seven days. The results support ketamine as a potential therapeutic alternative for patients with anxiety disorders.
Abstract
“The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid onset activity in treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Due to similarities in brain network activity in depression and anxiety disorders, we hypothesized that ketamine might also be active in other refractory anxiety disorders. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketamine in 12 patients with refractory generalized anxiety disorder and/or social anxiety disorder who were not currently depressed, using an ascending single dose study design (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg administered subcutaneously) at weekly intervals. Within 1 h of dosing, patients reported reduced anxiety, which persisted for up to seven days. A dose-response profile was noted for anxiolytic effects, dissociative side effects, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate, with minor changes at 0.25 mg/kg, and progressively greater and more durable changes at the higher doses. Ten of 12 patients were treatment responders at 0.5–1 mg/kg. Ketamine was safe and well tolerated in this population. Ketamine may be a potential therapeutic alternative for patients with refractory generalized anxiety disorder/social anxiety disorder. Along with its demonstrated effectiveness in patients with treatment-resistant depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, these data raise the intriguing possibility that ketamine may have broad efficacy in disorders characterized by negative emotional states, and that these disorders may share a common precipitating neurobiology.”
Authors: Paul Glue, Natalie J. Medlicott, Sarah Harland, Shona Neehoff, Bridie Anderson-Fahey, Martin Le Nedelec, Andrew Gray & Neil McNaughton
Summary of Ketamine’s dose-related effects on anxiety symptoms in patients with treatment refractory anxiety disorders
Introduction
Ketamine has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety in several disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. We hypothesized that ketamine would improve anxiety ratings in patients with treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder.
Methods
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https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0269881117705089
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Study details
Compounds studied
Ketamine
Topics studied
Anxiety
Depression
Study characteristics
Open-Label
Participants
12