Non-improvement predicts subsequent non-response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine for depression: a re-analysis of a 2-week open-label study in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression.
Translational psychiatry August 6, 2024 Chengyu Wang, Xiaofeng Lan, Weijian Liu et al. 6 citations
Non-improvement after four ketamine infusions, or three consecutive non-improvements after three infusions, reliably predicts overall non-response to a six-dose course of intravenous ketamine for depression. Among 135 individuals with major depressive or bipolar disorder in a current depressive episode, sensitivities for predicting non-response exceeded 90% using these early non-improvement criteria. Those who did not improve by these points showed no significant reduction in depressive symptoms from subsequent infusions. The findings suggest that early non-improvement can guide clinicians to discontinue treatment, avoiding ineffective continued dosing.