Journal of psychiatric research
August 1, 2024
Eduardo Igor Torquato Cardoso Lopes, Patrícia Cavalcanti-Ribeiro, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes et al.
9 citations
Subcutaneous esketamine injections given weekly for eight weeks produced a rapid and lasting reduction in suicidality among 18 adults with treatment-resistant depression. Suicidal thoughts dropped within 24 hours after the first dose and remained low throughout the eight-week treatment period. At six months after treatment ended, suicidality was still consistently lower. Clinician ratings showed significant improvement only after two sessions, and 61% of patients achieved remission from suicidal ideation. The findings suggest that weekly subcutaneous esketamine may be a cost-effective way to achieve fast and sustained anti-suicide effects, but controlled studies are needed to confirm these initial observations.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience
October 28, 2024
Kaike Thiê da Costa Gonçalves, Vagner Deuel O de Tavares, Maria Luiza de Morais Barros et al.
5 citations
A systematic review of 29 studies examined whether the psychoactive effects of ketamine are linked to its therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders. About half of the studies (51.72%) found a positive relationship between ketamine-induced altered states of consciousness and clinical outcomes, while 44.83% found no link, and one study found a negative association. For mood disorders like major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, 48% of studies showed a positive relationship and 48% showed none. All three studies on substance use disorder reported a positive correlation. The authors conclude the relationship remains uncertain due to high variability across studies.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Vagner Deuel de O Tavares, Kaike Thiê da Costa Gonçalves, Maria Luiza de Morais Barros et al.
1 citation
A meta-analysis of eleven studies found no significant correlation between the psychoactive (psychomimetic) effects of ketamine and clinical outcomes in mental illness, including depression. The overall correlation was r = 0.06, and for depression specifically r = 0.03, both non-significant. Sub-analyses accounting for patient disorders, intravenous administration, assessment instruments, and timing also yielded no significant findings. High heterogeneity was present. The analysis suggests that altered states of consciousness during ketamine sessions are not directly linked to clinical outcomes, but the limited number of studies and heterogeneity make this conclusion preliminary.
medRxiv Preprint Server
May 31, 2026
Yves Martins Varela, Patrícia Cavalcanti-Ribeiro, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al.
preprint
Ketamine rapidly reduces depression symptoms in treatment-resistant depression, but its effects may be enhanced by combining it with psychotherapy. The drug induces neuroplasticity and psychological openness, which could help patients process emotions, restructure thoughts, and maintain improvements. However, research has not yet thoroughly examined whether adding structured psychotherapy to ketamine treatment provides additional benefits.