NOVEL MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION USING KETAMINE IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
medRxiv Preprint Server – September 23, 2021
Source: medRxiv
Summary
Imagine rapid relief for severe depression, even in critical care. Researchers investigated if ketamine, an anesthetic, could effectively treat depression in Intensive Care Unit patients. Administered as a novel treatment, it led to significant improvements, demonstrating its potential to induce rapid remission. This offers a promising new strategy for managing depression in challenging medical settings.
Abstract
Background Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, induces remission of depression by antagonizing glutaminergic NMDA receptors. Ketamine has been used previously in outpatient setting for treatment-resistant depression, but we showcase its utility in depression management at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).