Phenomenological Explorations of the Esketamine-Induced Transient Dissociative State

This phenomenological exploration trial (n=15) aims to investigate the transient dissociative state induced by esketamine in patients with depressive disorder.

Esketamine, a derivative of ketamine, is used to treat resistant depression but can induce dissociative states. The study seeks to understand this phenomenon and its implications for therapy. Patients treated with Esketamine will undergo an Experiential Phenomenological Interview and complete the EQFC “Trait” questionnaire to evaluate their consciousness fluidity.

The trial, conducted by the Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon La Seyne sur Mer, will involve patients aged 18 and above who have experienced dissociative states during Esketamine treatment. The primary completion date is estimated to be September 2024. The study is designed as a basic science intervention without masking.

Trial Details

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in low doses to treat depressive disorders. A related molecule, Esketamine, has recently been launched on the market for the treatment of resistant depression. One of the side effects of ketamine, like Esketamine, is induction of transient dissociative state. Dissociation has been described as disruption in continuity of conscious thought and emotion, cognitive processes disorganisation and an alteration in self-perception and environment perception. A study of healthy volunteers receiving ketamine showed that this state was manifested by altered sensory perceptions, with increased noise sensitivity, visual distortions and altered time perception. Few studies have looked at this phenomenon in the Esketamine context. However, it is a frequent side effect. With ketamine, it has been shown that anxiety associated with dissociative experience reduces the antidepressant effect. Benzodiazepines use for anxiolytic purposes is also thought to limit the antidepressant effect. It is necessary to explore the Esketamine induced transient dissociative state in order to clarify this state and develop therapeutic strategies. The investigators have chosen a phenomenological approach, which is the only way to evaluate consciousness contents and structures, in order to explore this state using the experiential phenomenological interview.

Trial Number NCT06133309

Data attribution

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