Ketamine and Neurofeedback as Combined Therapeutic Interventions to Target Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Alcohol Use Disorder (Nektar)

This Phase II, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial (n=75) will assess the therapeutic effects of a single intravenous dose of ketamine (56mg/70kg) combined with real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rt-fMRI NFT) on alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Conducted at the Psychiatric University Hospital in Zurich and led by Dr. Marcus Herdener, the study will investigate whether modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens — a brain region involved in reward and craving — can reduce alcohol consumption and cravings. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: ketamine with active rt-fMRI NFT, ketamine with sham NFT, or placebo with active NFT. The neurofeedback sessions will last 25 minutes, during which participants will learn to downregulate cravings in response to alcohol-related cues. Researchers aim to evaluate changes in alcohol use (measured daily and by the number of heavy drinking days), brain plasticity markers, and individual differences in ketamine metabolism.

The study addresses the limitations of previous research that showed variable responses to ketamine therapy and explores whether combining pharmacological (ketamine-induced neuroplasticity) and non-pharmacological (NFT) treatments offers superior outcomes. Eligible participants are adults aged 18–65 with a DSM-IV diagnosis of AUD, physically healthy, and motivated to reduce or stop drinking. The study is expected to run from May 2025 to December 2026.

Topic Neuroscience Alcohol Use Disorder Addiction
Compound Ketamine Placebo
Country Switzerland
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University of Zurich
Within the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at the University of Zurich, Dr Mialn Scheidegger is leading team conducting psychedelic research and therapy development.

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