Intravenous arketamine for treatment-resistant depression: open-label pilot study
G. C. Leal, I. D. Bandeira, F. S. Correia-Melo, Manuela Telles, R. Mello, F. Vieira, Cássio S. Lima, A. P. Jesus-Nunes, Lívia N F Guerreiro-Costa, R. Marback, A. T. Caliman-Fontes, Breno L. S. Marques, M. L. O. Bezerra, A. Dias-Neto, Samantha S. Silva, A. Sampaio, G. Sanacora, G. Turecki, C. Loo, A. Lacerda, L. Quarantini
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience February 20, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01110-5 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
A single intravenous infusion of arketamine (0.5 mg/kg) rapidly reduced depression severity in seven people with treatment-resistant depression. The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score fell from an average of 30.7 before infusion to 10.4 after one day, a mean drop of 20.3 points. Dissociative side effects were nearly absent. The findings suggest arketamine may produce fast-onset and sustained antidepressant effects with a favorable safety profile, as previously observed in animals, but controlled trials are needed to confirm.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Open-label pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7 |
| Population | Humans with treatment-resistant depression |
| Keywords | Medicine |
| Citations | 257 |
| Key finding | A single intravenous infusion of arketamine produced a rapid and substantial reduction in depression severity, with minimal dissociative side effects, in seven people with treatment-resistant depression. |
Abstract
We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of arketamine, the R (−)-enantiomer of ketamine, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in humans. Open-label pilot trial, seven subjects with TRD received a single intravenous infusion of arketamine (0.5 mg/kg); primary outcome was change in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) 24 h after. Mean MADRS dropped from 30.7 before infusion to 10.4 after one day, a mean difference of 20.3 points [CI 95% 13.6–27.0; p < 0.001]; dissociation was nearly absent. Arketamine might produce fast-onset and sustained antidepressant effects in humans with favorable safety profile, like previously reported with animals; further controlled-trials are needed.