Ketamine shows long‐term benefit in patients with treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update May 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31440
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPatients with treatment-resistant depression who received a series of treatments with ketamine or esketamine had a substantial reduction in emergency department visits related to suicidality over six months. During the acute phase of treatment, 56.7% of participants responded with reduced depression symptoms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Duration | 6-month period |
| Key finding | Ketamine or esketamine treatments led to a substantial reduction in emergency department visits for suicidality over six months, with a 56.7% response rate for depression symptoms after the acute phase. |
Abstract
Patients with treatment‐resistant depression who received a series of treatments with ketamine or esketamine showed a substantial reduction in emergency department visits related to suicidality over a 6‐month period, a study has found. Study participants had a 56.7% response rate of depression symptoms following the acute phase of treatment.