The Effect of Ketamine on Aesthetics and Role for Antidepressant Effects

This Phase I interventional trial (n=60) conducted by the Medical University of Vienna aims to investigate the impact of ketamine on aesthetic perception and processing, focusing on its potential antidepressant properties, particularly in alleviating anhedonia.

The study involves 25 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls. It employs a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design, where participants undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) twice, once after receiving intravenous ketamine (subanesthetic dose) and once after receiving placebo. MRI sessions include structural, resting state, and functional imaging, particularly during aesthetic processing, reward, and sexual arousal paradigms. Various neuropsychological scales assessing depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and aesthetic processing are also administered.

Participants aged 18 to 55, right-handed, and willing to sign informed consent are eligible. Exclusion criteria include neurological diseases, current medical illnesses requiring treatment, psychiatric diagnoses for healthy individuals, substance abuse, previous ketamine use, and contraindications for MRI.

The study employs a crossover design with random allocation, involving two arms: one receiving ketamine first followed by placebo, and the other receiving placebo first followed by ketamine. Outcome measures include differences in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signals assessed with fMRI during various tasks, levels of pleasantness and number of chills during aesthetic tasks, and changes in BOLD signals during resting state.

The study commenced on June 1, 2022, with an estimated primary completion date of February 28, 2025, and a completion date of February 28, 2025. Recruitment is ongoing in Vienna, Austria.

Trial Details

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of ketamine on aesthetic perception and processing. This study assesses the role of these effects in facilitating ketamine's antidepressant properties, with a focus on anhedonia. To address this aim, 25 patients with major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls will be assessed twice with magnetic resonance imaging, once after administration of intravenous ketamine (subanesthetic dose) and once after administration of placebo.This study has a single-center, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design. During MRI, structural, resting state, and functional imaging will be performed. Functional imaging will comprise aesthetic processing, reward, and sexual arousal paradigms. In addition, various neuropsychological scales assessing depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and aesthetic processing will be performed. Eligibility for participation will be assessed during a screening visit, a follow up visit will end study participation.

NCT Number NCT05320107

Data attribution

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