A patient with bipolar treatment-resistant depression who had not responded to medication, psychotherapy, or either repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or intravenous ketamine alone achieved complete and sustained remission when rTMS and ketamine were used together. The authors discuss how the two treatments may have complementary antidepressant mechanisms and call for further research on the combination's feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy.
A new treatment combining ketamine infusions with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may be feasible for people who have both alcohol use disorder and treatment-resistant depression. In an open-label trial at a Montreal hospital, 30 participants will receive six ketamine infusions plus eight weekly therapy sessions, either in person or online. The study primarily tests whether the combined approach is practical and acceptable by measuring completion rates, safety, and data quality. Exploratory measures will track changes in depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and quality of life. Some participants will also be interviewed about their experiences.