Ketamine shows long‐term benefit in patients with treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update May 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/pu.31440
Summary
Patients with treatment-resistant depression experienced a significant decrease in emergency department visits related to suicidality after receiving ketamine or esketamine treatments over six months. The treatment led to a 56.7% response rate in alleviating depression symptoms following the initial treatment phase.
Study at a glance
| Population | patients with treatment-resistant depression |
|---|---|
| Key finding | There was a substantial reduction in emergency department visits related to suicidality among patients treated with ketamine or esketamine. |
Abstract
Patients with treatment‐resistant depression who received a series of treatments with ketamine or esketamine showed a substantial reduction in emergency department visits related to suicidality over a 6‐month period, a study has found. Study participants had a 56.7% response rate of depression symptoms following the acute phase of treatment.