Efficacy of Intravenous Racemic Ketamine on Global Severity and Individual Symptoms of Depression
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – September 25, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Intravenous racemic ketamine therapy showed remarkable effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression, with 70% of participants experiencing significant reductions in depressive symptoms after treatment. In a sample of 100 individuals, scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 dropped notably across all items, particularly in suicidal ideation, which exhibited the most substantial improvement. Conversely, appetite disturbance showed the least change. These findings suggest ketamine's potential as a transformative option for those struggling with major depressive episodes.
Abstract
Maintenance intravenous racemic ketamine therapy demonstrated significant, persistent, and broad efficacy for treatment-resistant depression as demonstrated by reductions in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 total scores and equivocal changes in every item on both rating scales. The magnitude of change in individual items was similar to that of previous randomized trials, with suicidal ideation and depression demonstrating the largest response and appetite disturbance the least.