Intravenous Ketamine for Late-Life Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Pilot Study of Tolerability, Safety, Clinical Benefits, and Effect on Cognition
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry December 1, 2022 H. Oughli, M. A. Gebara, A. Ciarleglio et al. 33 citations
Repeated intravenous ketamine infusions are well-tolerated and associated with improvements in depression and executive function in older adults aged 60 and older with treatment-resistant depression. In a pilot trial, 25 participants received ketamine twice weekly for four weeks, with partial responders continuing weekly infusions for four more weeks. Completion rates were high (88% acute, 100% continuation), with no serious adverse events or discontinuations due to side effects. Transient blood pressure elevation, dissociation, and craving occurred but were manageable. Depressive symptoms improved significantly, with 48% of participants responding. Executive function and overall fluid cognition also improved (Cohen's d = 0.61) and were sustained.