Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Syed Iqbal, Ronak Patel, Zeshan Barlas, Reza Safavi, Kathleen Mcdeavitt, Asim Shah
Psychiatric Annals June 1, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20240613-01
Summary
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has shown antidepressant and antisuicidal effects, particularly in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The FDA has approved intranasal (S)-ketamine for use alongside oral antidepressants. However, its administration requires in-office visits and monitoring, which limits accessibility. Despite concerns about risks and abuse potential, ketamine remains a promising treatment option for patients with TRD and suicidality.
Study at a glance
| Population | patients with treatment-resistant depression |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Ketamine is an effective treatment modality for patients with treatment-resistant depression and suicidality. |
Abstract
Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has antidepressant and antisuicidal effects, as shown by multiple studies done over the past two decades, that can be used effectively in the management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved intranasal (S)-ketamine in combination with an oral antidepressant for TRD. Although research is promising with respect to ketamine's effect on depression and suicidality, the need for in-office administration and treatment monitoring limits the accessibility of treatment. Significant concerns remain regarding the risks of treatment and its abuse potential. Nonetheless, its potential efficacy in TRD and suicidality makes ketamine an effective treatment modality for this patient population. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(6):e170–e176.]