The effect of single administration of intravenous ketamine augmentation on suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant unipolar depression: results from a randomized double-blind study
European Neuropsychopharmacology June 2, 2021 A. Feeney, R. Hock, Marlene P. Freeman et al. 33 citations
A single intravenous infusion of ketamine may reduce suicidal ideation in patients with treatment-resistant depression for up to 30 days, but early effects diminish rapidly. In a double-blind randomized trial, 40 patients received ketamine and 16 received midazolam placebo; all had clinically significant suicidal ideation at baseline. By day 30, the ketamine group had a lower mean suicide score (2.03) than the placebo group (3.00). However, among those whose suicidal ideation initially resolved by day 3, there was no significant difference between groups in later scores. Recurrence of suicidal ideation was common in both groups. The findings suggest a possible role for ketamine as an adjunct to standard treatments.