Trial finds ketamine noninferior to ECT for treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31057
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn patients with treatment-resistant major depression, twice-weekly ketamine was as effective as three sessions per week of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) over a 3-week treatment period. During a 6-month follow-up, relapse rates were higher among those who received ECT than among those who received ketamine.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Open-label trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant major depression at electroconvulsive therapy clinics |
| Interventions | Ketamine Electroconvulsive therapy |
| Duration | 3-week treatment period, 6-month follow-up |
| Key finding | Twice-weekly ketamine was noninferior to three sessions per week of ECT for treatment-resistant major depression, and relapse rates over 6 months were higher with ECT than with ketamine. |
Abstract
A large‐scale open‐label trial conducted at electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) clinics has found that twice‐weekly dosing of ketamine was noninferior to three sessions a week of ECT in patients with treatment‐resistant major depression. Relapse rates during a 6‐month follow‐up period after the initial 3‐week treatment period were higher among patients receiving ECT than patients receiving ketamine. Study results were published May 24, 2023, in the New England Journal of Medicine.