Psychiatry research
November 1, 2023
Sipan Haikazian, David C J Chen-Li, Danica E Johnson et al.
121 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies (686 participants) found that psilocybin therapy produced a large reduction in depressive symptoms compared to control conditions, with a standardized mean difference of -0.78. Response and remission rates were also significantly higher with psilocybin. Open-label trials showed robust decreases in depression after psilocybin administration. The findings suggest antidepressant efficacy for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, but the authors note that further studies are needed to confirm safety and efficacy and to optimize treatment protocols.
World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
January 18, 2023
Shakila Meshkat, Sipan Haikazian, Joshua D. Di Vincenzo et al.
61 citations
Oral ketamine shows potential as an antidepressant for unipolar and bipolar depression, based on a systematic review of 22 studies involving 2336 patients. All included studies reported significant improvement after ketamine administration, and it was well tolerated without serious adverse events. However, the review identified important limitations, including a small number of randomized clinical trials (only four) and a high risk of bias in those trials due to analysis methods and adverse events monitoring. Ketamine dosages ranged from 0.5 to 1.25 mg/kg, with administration frequency from daily to monthly. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up is needed to determine its antisuicidal effect and efficacy in treatment-resistant depression.
Psychiatry Research
March 5, 2023
Kevork Danayan, Noah Chisamore, Nelson B Rodrigues et al.
36 citations
Intravenous ketamine reduced symptoms of depression, borderline personality, suicidality, and anxiety in people with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid borderline personality disorder. In a retrospective analysis of 100 participants, those with borderline personality disorder showed significant improvement, with a reduction of 5.95 points on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and a reduction of 0.64 on the Borderline Symptom List. Both groups with and without borderline personality disorder improved similarly on depression, anxiety, and functionality measures, with no significant difference between groups.
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
January 1, 2023
Farhan Fancy, Sipan Haikazian, Danica E. Johnson et al.
23 citations
Ketamine given intravenously at subanesthetic doses (0.5–0.75 mg/kg) or as esketamine (28–84 mg) appears safe and effective as an add-on treatment for bipolar depression when combined with a mood stabilizer. Across eight studies (235 participants), 48% of those receiving ketamine achieved at least a 50% reduction in depression severity, compared with 5% on placebo. Real-world response rates were lower (30%) than in clinical trials (63%). Some studies noted reductions in suicidal ideation, though not all findings were statistically significant. Ketamine was generally well tolerated, but 2% of participants (five receiving ketamine) developed hypomanic or manic symptoms, and significant dissociative effects occurred at 40 minutes in some trials.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
May 16, 2023
Noah Chisamore, Kevork Danayan, Nelson B Rodrigues et al.
13 citations
Ketamine infusions led to clinically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in transitional age youth (ages 18–25) with treatment-resistant depression. In a retrospective analysis of 52 youth matched with a general adult sample (ages 30–60), both groups showed comparable improvements after four infusions over two weeks, with moderate effect sizes and no significant group differences. Adverse effects were mild and transient. The findings suggest ketamine is similarly effective and safe for younger adults as for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)
October 1, 2023
Farhan Fancy, Nelson B Rodrigues, Joshua D Di Vincenzo et al.
4 citations
Repeated intravenous ketamine infusions significantly reduced depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar I/II depression, and improved functioning. In an observational study of 66 patients receiving four infusions over two weeks, depressive symptoms dropped by an average of 6.08 points on the QIDS-SR16 scale. Response rate was 35% and remission rate 20%. Hypomania occurred in only 4.5% of patients, with no mania or psychosis. The findings suggest real-world effectiveness and tolerability of IV ketamine for bipolar depression.