Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
December 1, 2025
Liyang Yin, A. Imamog ̄lu, Gia Han Le et al.
3 citations
Intravenous ketamine may be efficacious in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A systematic review of seven randomized controlled trials involving 323 participants found that ketamine meaningfully improved PTSD symptoms in two trials, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Multi-infusion schedules achieved greater clinical outcomes than single-dose schedules. Preliminary evidence suggests repeated lower doses (0.2 mg/kg) were more efficacious in sustaining treatment effects than standard doses (0.5 mg/kg). Symptom improvement was associated with top-down inhibition of the amygdala originating in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
October 30, 2025
Isabella S Ji, M Cheng, Kayla M. Teopiz et al.
2 citations
Ketamine and esketamine, NMDA receptor antagonists, are effective for depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but functional impairments in work, social, and family life often persist even when mood improves. This systematic review of randomized controlled trials found no controlled studies on ketamine's effect on functional outcomes, highlighting a major gap. For esketamine, nine studies showed significant improvements: Sheehan Disability Scale scores dropped by an average of 13.6 points versus 9.4 for placebo, and workplace productivity loss, presenteeism, and activity impairment all significantly decreased. Esketamine thus improves both depressive symptoms and daily functioning, especially at work.
Journal of affective disorders
July 23, 2025
Joyce Xu Hao Jin, Heidi Ka Ying Lo, Iris Wai Tung Tsui et al.
2 citations
In people with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), positive psychological traits such as mindfulness and grit interact with negative affect to influence positive mental health. Over two weeks, 29 people with MDD, 29 with BD, and 30 healthy controls reported their negative affect, pleasure attainment, and meaning in life five times daily. Lower negative affect strengthened the link between mindfulness and meaning in life in the MDD group but not in the BD or control group. Higher grit reduced the harmful effect of negative affect on pleasure attainment in the BD group but not in the other groups. These findings highlight complex relationships between positive traits and mental health in mood disorders.