Registered clinical trials investigating ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review
Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 16, 2023 M. Brendle, Anya Ragnhildstveit, M. Slayton et al. 7 citations
A review of 56 registered clinical trials on ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression found that research activity increased since 2008, with peaks in 2015 and 2021. Most trials were Phase 2 or 3, examining these drugs as individual or combination treatments. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale was the most common outcome measure. While large-scale, late-phase trials of esketamine are growing, many trials fail to assess patient characteristics like age, sex, and race that may affect treatment response. Understanding these design gaps can help scientists and funding bodies prioritize high-quality research.