Depressive disorders may be severe, chronic and often life-threatening illnesses. Impairment in physical and social functioning resulting from depression can be just as severe as other chronic medical illnesses. Recent preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the glutamatergic system is involved in the mechanism of action of antidepressants.
This study examines whether ketamine can cause a rapid-next day antidepressant effect in patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
This study was designed to address the questions:
Does the NMDA antagonist ketamine produce rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression? What are the neurobiological correlates of antidepressant response (examining multi-modal MRI, MEG, polysomnography and serum markers) Patients, ages 18 to 65 years with treatment-resistant major (unipolar) depression will in a double-blind crossover study receive either intravenous ketamine or saline solution.
Trial Details
Trial Number
Sponsors & Collaborators
National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterThis company doesn't have a full profile yet, it is linked to a clinical trial.
National Institute of Mental Health
This company doesn't have a full profile yet, it is linked to a clinical trial.
Papers
Functional changes in sleep-related arousal after ketamine administration in individuals with treatment-resistant depressionThis secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial (n=61) evaluates the impact of ketamine on sleep metrics in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) compared to healthy volunteers (HVs). It finds that while ketamine affects delta and alpha power during sleep, it does not significantly alter sleep macroarchitecture or mediate its antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects through sleep variables.
Measures Used
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating ScaleA ten-item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with mood disorders.