European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2024
Aleksander Kwaśny, Julia Kwaśna, Alina Wilkowska et al.
24 citations
Ketamine, a medication used for depression, may also reduce anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). A systematic review of 22 studies (4 randomized-controlled trials and 18 open-label trials) found that all reported alleviation of anhedonia symptoms after ketamine or esketamine administration, regardless of the number of infusions. Neuroimaging studies showed changes in functional connectivity linked to improvement. However, limitations include few placebo-controlled trials. The review suggests a potential anti-anhedonic effect of ketamine in depressed patients, likely through neuroplastic changes.
Asian journal of psychiatry
June 1, 2024
Adam Włodarczyk, Jakub Słupski, Joanna Szarmach et al.
12 citations
A year-long follow-up of three adults with treatment-resistant depression who received a single intravenous dose of arketamine (R-ketamine) found substantial symptom reduction and improved social and vocational functioning, including reduced sick leave and hospitalizations. One participant developed a substance use disorder, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. The findings suggest arketamine may offer a transformative approach to managing depression, with fewer dissociative side effects and lower abuse potential than esketamine, but the small sample size and lack of randomization require cautious interpretation.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
June 3, 2020
Alina Wilkowska, Łukasz P. Szałach, Jakub Słupski et al.
9 citations
Ketamine can rapidly reduce depression in people with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder, but it also carries a risk of triggering mania. This case describes a patient with bipolar I disorder who, after eight low doses of oral ketamine added to their usual treatment, switched from a depressive episode to a manic episode with mixed features. The manic symptoms began two days before the switch became full-blown. The finding highlights the need for careful monitoring of mood changes when using ketamine in bipolar depression.
Magnesium Research
April 1, 2018
Natalia Górska, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Jakub Słupski et al.
8 citations
Depression is a leading cause of disability, and many adults with major depression do not achieve remission with first-line treatments. Magnesium influences several neurotransmitter systems involved in emotional processes, including serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic systems. The mechanism of antidepressants' action involves the glutamatergic system, and magnesium ions may play a role in major depressive disorder pathophysiology by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Ketamine, an NMDAR antagonist, has fast-acting antidepressant and antisuicidal effects. The evidence discussed suggests a possible synergistic interaction between magnesium and ketamine's pharmacodynamic activity in mood disorders.
Brain Sciences
December 11, 2020
Jakub Słupski, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Natalia Górska et al.
7 citations
Serum copper concentration changes during ketamine treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression, but no clear link between copper levels and treatment response was found. Patients with major depressive or bipolar disorder received weekly ketamine infusions, and copper levels were measured before, during, and after treatment. Copper concentration was significantly higher before treatment than after the fifth infusion, and also higher after the full course than after the fifth infusion. However, changes in copper levels did not correlate with scores on depression or mania rating scales, nor with somatic comorbidities. The findings provide data on copper's role in short-term ketamine therapy but do not support copper as a marker of treatment response.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
December 2, 2021
Maria Gałuszko‐węgielnik, Adam Włodarczyk, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała et al.
5 citations
Repeated series of intravenous ketamine infusions, given as an add-on treatment, can be effective and safe for patients with treatment-resistant depression. In a case series of five inpatients aged 43–63 with major depressive disorder or bipolar I disorder, four achieved remission after the first series of eight infusions, and three after the second series. Adverse reactions were mild and transient. The results are limited to short-term, add-on intravenous ketamine and cannot be generalized to long-term maintenance or other formulations.
Pharmaceuticals
May 3, 2021
Natalia Górska, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Jakub Słupski et al.
2 citations
Magnesium levels in the blood change over the course of ketamine treatment for depression. In patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, serum magnesium concentration was significantly higher before treatment began than after five or seven ketamine infusions. However, changes in magnesium levels were not correlated with depression scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or with mania scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The study also found no link between magnesium concentration and somatic comorbidities. While the findings support the idea that magnesium plays a role in treatment-resistant depression, especially with ketamine, there is no clear evidence of a straightforward relationship between magnesium levels and treatment response or other health conditions.
Frontiers in Nutrition
August 21, 2025
Jakub Słupski, Agnieszka Mechlińska, Adam Włodarczyk et al.
1 citation
A systematic review of five studies involving 678 participants examined how ketamine treatment affects appetite in people with treatment-resistant mood disorders. Two studies found significant improvement in reduced appetite after ketamine or esketamine treatment; one found no significant change; one reported a paradoxical worsening; and one noted minimal effect on increased appetite and atypical symptoms. The evidence suggests ketamine may improve depressive symptoms including appetite, or have neutral effects. Measuring appetite could help detect antidepressant effects beyond traditional medications and aid treatment planning for patients with metabolic disorders or malnutrition risk.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
December 4, 2025
Adam Włodarczyk, Jakub Słupski, Joanna Szarmach et al.
Ketamine may be a viable treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant post-stroke depression. Further research is needed to better understand its efficacy and safety in this specific patient population.
Magnesium research
Jakub Słupski, Adam Włodarczyk, Natalia Górska et al.
Impulsive behaviors are common in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, raising suicide risk and mood instability. Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, can produce rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects, and magnesium given with low-dose NMDA antagonists reduces anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in animals. This observational study of 49 inpatients with treatment-resistant mood disorders measured impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and magnesium levels before and during a four-week course of eight ketamine infusions. Magnesium ion concentration during treatment was not associated with changes in BIS-11 scores. The findings provide no evidence for a relationship between magnesium levels and impulsivity during ketamine therapy.