Effects of Intravenous Ketamine on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ): A Systematic Review
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.