Ketamine: A New Antidepressant?
Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar May 31, 2015 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.5455/cap.20140430125304 via DOAJ
Summary
Ketamine has shown efficacy and safety as a treatment for major depressive disorder, particularly in individuals who do not respond well to standard antidepressants. However, its antidepressant effects are short-lived, and its potential to cause psychotic symptoms may limit its use. Future studies should explore predictors of response and different dosing strategies to maintain its antidepressant effects.
Study at a glance
| Population | individuals with major depressive disorder |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Ketamine is effective and safe for treating depression but has short-lived effects and psychotomimetic properties that may restrict its use. |
Abstract
Standart antidepressants are needed for the many individuals with major depressive disorder. However they do not respond adequately to treatment and because of a delay of weeks before the emergence of therapeutic effects. Recent studies show that subanesthetic dose of ketamine is efficacy and safety for the treatment of depression. Antidepressant effects of ketamine have been found to be short-lived and its psychotomimetic properties may limit the use of ketamine to depressive patients. Future research studies should focus on identifying predictors of response (pharmalogical and clinical) , investigating application of different doses and routes of administration and maintaining antidepressant effect. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2015; 7(1): 30-40]