Trial finds ketamine noninferior to ECT for treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update September 1, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/pu.31057
Summary
Twice-weekly dosing of ketamine was found to be noninferior to three sessions a week of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with treatment-resistant major depression. Additionally, relapse rates during a 6-month follow-up were higher in patients receiving ECT compared to those receiving ketamine.
Study at a glance
| Design | open-label trial |
|---|---|
| Population | patients with treatment-resistant major depression |
| Key finding | Twice-weekly dosing of ketamine was noninferior to three sessions a week of ECT. |
Abstract
A large‐scale open‐label trial conducted at electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) clinics has found that twice‐weekly dosing of ketamine was noninferior to three sessions a week of ECT in patients with treatment‐resistant major depression. Relapse rates during a 6‐month follow‐up period after the initial 3‐week treatment period were higher among patients receiving ECT than patients receiving ketamine. Study results were published May 24, 2023, in the New England Journal of Medicine.