Pilot study on the effects of ketamine on mood and eating disorder cognitions in enduring anorexia nervosa

This interventional trial (n=24) investigates the effects of ketamine (26-52mg/70kg) on mood and eating disorder cognitions in enduring anorexia nervosa (AN).

The study consists of two treatment phases: a double-blind single-dose crossover phase and an open-label maintenance phase. In the crossover phase (3 weeks), participants receive single oral doses of ketamine (0.375 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg) or midazolam (0.01 mg/kg) weekly. The maintenance phase, for those showing at least 50% improvement, involves open-label oral ketamine 1-2x weekly for 3 months.

The primary outcomes measured using Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HamA), and Yale-Brown-Cornell Eating-Disorder-Examination (YBC-EDE) will assess improvements. EEG abnormalities will also be examined.

The trial, focusing on individuals aged 18-45 with AN of over 5 years’ duration, is registered on ANZCTR (ACTRN12618001393246p). Ethics approval is pending, and recruitment is anticipated to begin in September 2019 at Dunedin, Otago. The University of Otago sponsors the study, led by Prof Paul Glue, aiming to explore ketamine’s potential in treating enduring AN.

Topic Eating Disorders
Compound Ketamine
Country New Zealand
Visit trial

Trial Details



Trial Number

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of Otago
The University of Otago (specifically the Dunedin School of Medicine) is associated with psychedelic research but doesn't yet have a full profile.

Data attribution

A large set of the trials in our database are sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (CTG). We have modified these post to display the information in a more clear format or to correct spelling mistakes. Our database in actively updated and may show a different status (e.g. completed) if we have knowledge of this update (e.g. a published paper on the study) which isn't reflected yet on CTG. If a trial is not sourced from CTG, this is indicated on this page and you can follow the link to the alternative source of information.