An evaluation of the efficacy and side effects of a single dose of ketamine in major depressive disorder.
Postgraduate medical journal October 14, 2024 Betül Uyar, Mehmet Güneş 1 citation
A single dose of ketamine infusion rapidly reduces both depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in people with major depressive disorder. In a retrospective evaluation of 120 patients, depression scores measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and a suicide-specific subscale dropped significantly within 4 hours and remained lower at 24 hours after treatment. The improvements occurred regardless of sex, treatment resistance, or history of suicide attempts. The findings align with prior evidence that ketamine can produce fast-acting antidepressant effects, even in severe, treatment-resistant cases. The reduction in suicidal ideation is especially important because few interventions work quickly during acute suicidal crises.