Improved implicit self-esteem is associated with extended antidepressant effects following a novel synergistic intervention.
Molecular psychiatry November 1, 2024 H Nur Eken, Crystal Spotts, Benjamin Panny et al. 1 citation
A combination of ketamine infusion and a digital training program called automated self-association training (ASAT) produced more positive implicit self-associations immediately after treatment in adults with treatment-resistant depression, compared to control groups that received only one active component. These changes in implicit self-worth tracked with concurrent depression symptom improvement across all groups and specifically predicted longer-term depression relief at 30 days for the combined treatment group. The findings indicate that shifting implicit self-esteem during a post-ketamine 'plasticity window' is a key mechanism behind the combined treatment's antidepressant effect, confirming the intended cognitive target.