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Rodgers A, Bahceci D, Davey CG, Chatterton ML, Glozier N, Hopwood M, Loo C. Ensuring the affordable becomes accessible-lessons from ketamine, a new treatment for severe depression. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:109-116. [PMID: 37830221 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231203898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the case study of ketamine as a new treatment for severe depression is used to outline the challenges of repurposing established medicines and we suggest potential solutions. The antidepressant effects of generic racemic ketamine were identified over 20 years ago, but there were insufficient incentives for commercial entities to pursue its registration, or support for non-commercial entities to fill this gap. As a result, the evaluation of generic ketamine was delayed, piecemeal, uncoordinated, and insufficient to gain approval. Meanwhile, substantial commercial investment enabled the widespread registration of a patented, intranasal s-enantiomeric ketamine formulation (Spravato®) for depression. However, Spravato is priced at $600-$900/dose compared to ~$5/dose for generic ketamine, and the ~AUD$100 million annual government investment requested in Australia (to cover drug costs alone) has been rejected twice, leaving this treatment largely inaccessible for Australian patients 2 years after Therapeutic Goods Administration approval. Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that generic racemic ketamine is at least as effective as Spravato, but no comparative trials were required for regulatory approval and have not been conducted. Without action, this story will repeat regularly in the next decade with a new wave of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments, for which the original off-patent molecules could be available at low-cost and reduce the overall cost of treatment. Several systemic reforms are required to ensure that affordable, effective options become accessible; these include commercial incentives, public and public-private funding schemes, reduced regulatory barriers and more coordinated international public funding schemes to support translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Rodgers
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Dilara Bahceci
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mary Lou Chatterton
- Health Economics Group, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Malcolm Hopwood
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Colleen Loo
- School of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Hovda N, Gerrish W, Frizzell W, Shackelford R. A systematic review of the incidence of medical serious adverse events in sub-anesthetic ketamine treatment of psychiatric disorders. J Affect Disord 2024; 345:262-271. [PMID: 37875227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited published data exists that collates serious adverse outcomes involving ketamine as a psychiatric intervention. This systematic review assesses the reported incidence of medical serious adverse events (MSAEs), including but not limited to cardiovascular events, in patients receiving sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine for psychiatric disorders to guide practitioners during treatment planning, risk-benefit analyses, and the informed consent process. METHODS Pubmed database was searched for clinical trials of sub-anesthetic ketamine for psychiatric disorders in non-pregnant adult patients. Of the 2275 articles identified, 93 met inclusion criteria, over half of which were published in 2017 or later. Only studies that reported adverse events were included, and the incidence of MSAEs was calculated. RESULTS Of the 3756 participants who received at least one sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine, four participants experienced a MSAE, resulting in an incidence of approximately 0.1 % of individuals. The four MSAEs resolved without reported sequelae. Eighty-three percent of studies reported screening for medical illness and exclusion of high-risk patients. There were no serious cardiac adverse events or deaths observed in any participants; however, most trials' study designs excluded those with high cardiovascular complication risk. LIMITATIONS Most studies were small, underpowered for detecting rare MSAEs, at potential high-risk of bias of non-report of MSAEs, and limited mostly to intranasal and intravenous routes. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that with basic medical screening there is a very low incidence of MSAEs including adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events in individuals receiving sub-anesthetic ketamine for psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hovda
- Sojourn Psychotherapy, Boise, United States of America; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, United States of America; Boise VAMC, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Department, United States of America.
| | - Winslow Gerrish
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, United States of America; Family Medicine Residency of Idaho - Boise, Full Circle Health, United States of America.
| | - William Frizzell
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, United States of America; Boise VAMC, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Department, United States of America.
| | - Ryan Shackelford
- Sojourn Psychotherapy, Boise, United States of America; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, United States of America; Family Medicine Residency of Idaho - Boise, Full Circle Health, United States of America.
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Loo C, Glozier N, Barton D, Baune BT, Mills NT, Fitzgerald P, Glue P, Sarma S, Galvez-Ortiz V, Hadzi-Pavlovic D, Alonzo A, Dong V, Martin D, Nikolin S, Mitchell PB, Berk M, Carter G, Hackett M, Leyden J, Hood S, Somogyi AA, Lapidus K, Stratton E, Gainsford K, Garg D, Thornton NLR, Fourrier C, Richardson K, Rozakis D, Scaria A, Mihalopoulos C, Chatterton ML, McDonald WM, Boyce P, Holtzheimer PE, Kozel FA, Riva-Posse P, Rodgers A. Efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of repeated subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment-resistant depression (KADS study): randomised double-blind active-controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 2023; 223:533-541. [PMID: 38108319 PMCID: PMC10727911 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2023.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior trials suggest that intravenous racemic ketamine is a highly effective for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but phase 3 trials of racemic ketamine are needed. AIMS To assess the acute efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of subcutaneous racemic ketamine in participants with TRD. Trial registration: ACTRN12616001096448 at www.anzctr.org.au. METHOD This phase 3, double-blind, randomised, active-controlled multicentre trial was conducted at seven mood disorders centres in Australia and New Zealand. Participants received twice-weekly subcutaneous racemic ketamine or midazolam for 4 weeks. Initially, the trial tested fixed-dose ketamine 0.5 mg/kg versus midazolam 0.025 mg/kg (cohort 1). Dosing was revised, after a Data Safety Monitoring Board recommendation, to flexible-dose ketamine 0.5-0.9 mg/kg or midazolam 0.025-0.045 mg/kg, with response-guided dosing increments (cohort 2). The primary outcome was remission (Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale for Depression score ≤10) at the end of week 4. RESULTS The final analysis (those who received at least one treatment) comprised 68 in cohort 1 (fixed-dose), 106 in cohort 2 (flexible-dose). Ketamine was more efficacious than midazolam in cohort 2 (remission rate 19.6% v. 2.0%; OR = 12.1, 95% CI 2.1-69.2, P = 0.005), but not different in cohort 1 (remission rate 6.3% v. 8.8%; OR = 1.3, 95% CI 0.2-8.2, P = 0.76). Ketamine was well tolerated. Acute adverse effects (psychotomimetic, blood pressure increases) resolved within 2 h. CONCLUSIONS Adequately dosed subcutaneous racemic ketamine was efficacious and safe in treating TRD over a 4-week treatment period. The subcutaneous route is practical and feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Loo
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; and George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Barton
- Australian Centre for Heart Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and NeuroCentrix, South Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bernhard T. Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie T. Mills
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Fitzgerald
- Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Paul Glue
- Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shanthi Sarma
- Mental Health and Specialist Services, Gold Coast Health, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia
| | - Veronica Galvez-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Parc Tauli, Sabadell, Spain; and Institut Investigacio I Innovacio Parc Tauli, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelo Alonzo
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; and George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa Dong
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; and George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Donel Martin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; and George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stevan Nikolin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; and George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip B. Mitchell
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gregory Carter
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maree Hackett
- George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Leyden
- Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; and Northern Sydney Anaesthetic Research Institute, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Hood
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew A. Somogyi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kyle Lapidus
- Affective Care, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elizabeth Stratton
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kirsten Gainsford
- Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, Epworth Healthcare and Monash University, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deepak Garg
- Mental Health and Specialist Services, Gold Coast Health, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicollette L. R. Thornton
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Célia Fourrier
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and Lysosomal Health in Ageing, Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Karyn Richardson
- BrainPark, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, Epworth Healthcare and Monash University, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Anish Scaria
- George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cathrine Mihalopoulos
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Mary Lou Chatterton
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - William M. McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Philip Boyce
- Specialty of Psychiatry, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul E. Holtzheimer
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; and Department of Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - F. Andrew Kozel
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Patricio Riva-Posse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
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Reissmann S, Hartmann M, Kist A, Liechti ME, Stocker K. Case report: Maintaining altered states of consciousness over repeated ketamine infusions may be key to facilitate long-lasting antidepressant effects: some initial lessons from a personalized-dosing single-case study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1197697. [PMID: 37953937 PMCID: PMC10634239 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1197697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The interest in psychoactive agents for treating mental disorders has gathered a growing body of scientific interest. However, research on the relationship between altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and ketamine's antidepressant properties is still limited. Likewise, approaches to sustain early treatment success for the long-term are needed. Taking both aspects into account, the question arises whether the persistence of recurrent ASCs during the subsequent infusion sessions is crucial for the preservation of antidepressant effects during prolonged continued ketamine therapy. Aim In this case study we explored whether recurrent ASC experiences across a large number of infusions are associated with improved antidepressant effects in a single case study. Methods A 62-year-old patient with treatment-resistant depression, who has been suffering from depressive episodes for over 20 years, was observed for 12 consecutive infusions across 16 weeks. ASCs during ketamine sessions were measured with the 5D-ASC, and pre/post-infusion depression scores with the BDI-II questionnaire. To emphasize psychoactive experiences a personalized antidepressant dose regimen was used. Results We found a strong correlation between the experienced ASCs during ketamine infusions and the antidepressant effect: the stronger the ASCs overall, the stronger the resulting antidepressant effect. This correlation was consistently observed throughout the infusion series, independent of the number of ketamine sessions completed before. However, despite a personalized dose regimen, neither peri-infusion ASCs nor antidepressant effects could be established on a regular basis, leading overall to no improvement in treatment outcome. Conclusion Maintaining psychoactive effects over repeated ketamine infusions may be key to facilitate long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, for some depressed individuals maintenance of antidepressant effects and/or peri-infusion ASCs might not be achieved, even when personalized dosing is used.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andreas Kist
- Medical Office for Anesthesiology Zelenka and Colleagues, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Matthias E. Liechti
- Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kurt Stocker
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Psychology – UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
- Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Chair of Cognitive Science, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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K Freind JM, Beserra FR, Menezes BS, Mograbi DC. Therapeutic Protocols Using Ketamine and Esketamine for Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37638529 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2248989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, causing severe emotional suffering, reducing life expectancy and increasing the risk of suicide. Recently, the use of dissociative psychedelic substances such as ketamine and esketamine for depressive disorders has expanded treatment options. We sought to analyze, through a systematic review, the existing protocols for the treatment of depression with ketamine and esketamine. The search adopted PRISMA criteria and was performed using PubMed and Web of Science databases. Procedures in each study were compared, focusing on the sample recruited, therapeutic approaches, including the clinical team and professionals engaged in treatment, medical procedures, description of the setting (including music) and factors such as specific medication (ketamine or esketamine), route of administration and dosage employed. Results indicated the predominance of a medical approach, with a limited number of studies on ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and other modalities of psychedelic assisted therapy. Additionally, there is limited information on psychosocial elements such as preparation, psychological support during session and integration of experience. Altogether these findings suggest that treatment of depression with ketamine or esketamine diverges in relation to the practices employed with psychedelic substances. This is discussed considering future research directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M K Freind
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Beserra
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno S Menezes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Mograbi
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Nikolin S, Rodgers A, Schwaab A, Bahji A, Zarate C, Vazquez G, Loo C. Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102127. [PMID: 37593223 PMCID: PMC10430179 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intranasal esketamine has received regulatory approvals for the treatment of depression. Recently a large trial of repeated dose racemic ketamine also demonstrated efficacy in severe depression. However, uncertainties remain regarding comparative efficacy, dosage, and the time course of response. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, Medline, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL up to April 13, 2023, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating ketamine for depression. Two investigators independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias and extracted the data on depression severity scores, response and remission rates, and all-cause dropouts. Multivariable mixed-effects meta-regressions incorporated drug formulation (racemic (Rac) or esketamine (Esket)) and dose (Low or High) as covariates. Treatment effects were assessed: immediately following the first dose, during further repeated dosing, and follow-up after the final dose of a treatment course. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021221157). Findings The systematic review identified 687 articles, of which 49 RCTs were eligible for analysis, comprising 3299 participants. Standardised mean differences (95% confidence intervals) immediately following the first/single treatment were moderate-high for all conditions (Rac-High: -0.73, -0.91 to -0.56; Esket-High: -0.48, -0.75 to -0.20; Rac-Low: -0.33, -0.54 to -0.12; Esket-Low: -0.55, -0.87 to -0.24). Ongoing effects during repeated dosing were significantly greater than the control for Rac-High (-0.61; -1.02 to -0.20) and Rac-Low (-0.55, -1.09 to -0.00), but not Esket-Low (-0.15, -0.49 to 0.19) or Esket-High (-0.22, -0.54 to 0.10). At follow-up effects remained significant for racemic ketamine (-0.65; -1.23 to -0.07) but not esketamine (-0.33; -0.96 to 0.31). All-cause dropout was similar between experiment and control conditions for both formulations combined (Odds Ratio = 1.18, 0.85-1.64). Overall heterogeneity varied from 5.7% to 87.6. Interpretation Our findings suggested that effect sizes for depression severity, as well as response and remission rates, were numerically greater for racemic ketamine than esketamine. Higher doses were more effective than low doses. Differences were evident in initial effects, ongoing treatment, and lasting effects after the final dose. Funding None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Nikolin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carlos Zarate
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gustavo Vazquez
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Colleen Loo
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Francis HM, Stevenson RJ, Tan LSY, Ehrenfeld L, Byeon S, Attuquayefio T, Gupta D, Lim CK. Kynurenic acid as a biochemical factor underlying the association between Western-style diet and depression: A cross-sectional study. Front Nutr 2022; 9:945538. [PMID: 36299996 PMCID: PMC9589270 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.945538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumption of a Western-style diet (WS-diet), high in saturated fat and added sugar, is associated with increased depression risk. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship requires elucidation. Diet can alter tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway (KP), potentially linking inflammation and depression. This study aimed to examine whether urinary inflammatory markers and KP metabolites differed according to WS-diet consumption and depression severity. Depression symptoms and habitual WS-diet consumption were assessed in 169 healthy adults aged 17–35 recruited from two experimental studies. Targeted metabolomics profiling of seven KP metabolites, ELISA-based assays of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed using urine samples collected from the participants. Parametric tests were performed for group comparison and associations analysis. Multilevel mixed-effect modelling was applied to control for biases. Higher intake of WS-diet was associated with lower levels of neuroprotective kynurenic acid (KA; R = −0.17, p = 0.0236). There were no differences in IL-6 or CRP across diet groups (p > 0.05). Physical activity had negative associations with most KP metabolites. Mixed-effects regression analysis showed the glutamatergic inhibitor, KA, was the only biomarker to have a significant association with depression symptoms in a model adjusted for demographic and lifestyle variables: a unit increase in KA was associated with 0.21 unit decrease in Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 depression score (p = 0.009). These findings suggest that urinary KA is associated with both habitual WS-diet intake, and levels of depression symptoms, independent of inflammation. Findings support the role of neuroprotection and glutamatergic modulation in depression. We propose that KA may act as endogenous glutamatergic inhibition in regulating depression severity in the absence of inflammation. Further comparison with blood-based markers will assist in validating the utility of non-invasive urine samples for measuring KP metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M. Francis
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia,Department of Neurology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Heather M. Francis,
| | - Richard J. Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Lorraine S. Y. Tan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren Ehrenfeld
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Sooin Byeon
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Tuki Attuquayefio
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Dolly Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Chai K. Lim
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia,Chai K. Lim,
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Shadli SM, Delany RG, Glue P, McNaughton N. Right Frontal Theta: Is It a Response Biomarker for Ketamine’s Therapeutic Action in Anxiety Disorders? Front Neurosci 2022; 16:900105. [PMID: 35860301 PMCID: PMC9289609 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.900105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders in the world, creating huge economic burdens on health systems and impairing the quality of life for those affected. Recently, ketamine has emerged as an effective anxiolytic even in cases resistant to conventional treatments (TR); but its therapeutic mechanism is unknown. Previous data suggest that ketamine anxiety therapy is mediated by reduced right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) theta power measured during relaxation. Here we test for a similar theta reduction between population-sample, presumed treatment-sensitive, (TS) anxiety patients and healthy controls. Patients with TS DSM-5 anxiety disorder and healthy controls provided EEG during 10 min of relaxation and completed anxiety-related questionnaires. Frontal delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta, and gamma power, Higuchi’s fractal dimension (HFD) and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) values were extracted to match ketamine testing; and we predicted that the controls would have less theta power at F4, relative to the TS anxious patients, and no differences in HFD or FAA. We provide graphical comparisons of our frontal band power patient-control differences with previously published post-pre ketamine TR differences. As predicted, theta power at F4 was significantly lower in controls than patients and FAA was not significantly different. However, HFD was unexpectedly reduced at lateral sites. Gamma power did not increase between controls and patients suggesting that the increased gamma produced by ketamine relates to dissociation rather than therapy. Although preliminary, and indirect, our results suggest that the anxiolytic action of ketamine is mediated through reduced right frontal theta power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabah M. Shadli
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Shabah M. Shadli,
| | - Robert G. Delany
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paul Glue
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Neil McNaughton
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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9
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Bahji A, Zarate CA, Vazquez GH. Efficacy and safety of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:853-866. [PMID: 35231204 PMCID: PMC9949988 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2047928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racemic ketamine and esketamine have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects. We aimed to review the efficacy and safety of racemic and esketamine for depression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a PRISMA-guided review for relevant randomized controlled trials of racemic or esketamine for unipolar or bipolar major depression from database inception through 2021. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses using pooled rate ratios (RRs) and Cohen's standardized mean differences (d) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS We found 36 studies (2903 participants, 57% female, 45.1 +/- 7.0 years). Nine trials used esketamine, while the rest used racemic ketamine. The overall study quality was high. Treatment with any form of ketamine was associated with improved response (RR=2.14; 95% CI, 1.72-2.66; I2=65%), remission (RR=1.64; 95% CI, 1.33-2.02; I2=39%), and depression severity (d=-0.63; 95% CI, -0.80 to -0.45; I2=78%) against placebo. Overall, there was no association between treatment with any form of ketamine and retention in treatment (RR=1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.01; I2<1%), dropouts due to adverse events (RR=1.56; 95% CI, 1.00-2.45; I2<1%), or the overall number of adverse events reported per participant (OR=2.14; 95% CI, 0.82-5.60; I2=62%) against placebo. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine and esketamine are effective, safe, and acceptable treatments for individuals living with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada;,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carlos A. Zarate
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gustavo H. Vazquez
- Department of Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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10
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Abuhelwa AY, Somogyi AA, Loo CK, Glue P, Barratt DT, Foster DJR. Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of the Therapeutic and Adverse Effects of Ketamine in Patients with Treatment-Refractory Depression. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2022; 112:720-729. [PMID: 35560226 PMCID: PMC9540482 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to develop population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models that can effectively describe ketamine and norketamine PK/PD relationships for Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) following i.v., s.c., and i.m. ketamine administration in patients with treatment‐refractory depression. Ketamine PK/PD data were collected from 21 treatment‐refractory depressed participants who received ketamine (dose titration 0.1–0.5 mg/kg as single doses) by i.v., s.c., or i.m. administration. Model development used nonlinear mixed effect modeling. Ketamine and norketamine PK were best described using two‐compartment models with first‐order absorption after s.c. and i.m. administration. Estimated ketamine bioavailability after i.m. and s.c. was ~ 64% with indistinguishable first‐order absorption rate constants. Allometric scaling of body weight on all clearance and volumes of distribution improved the model fit. The delay in the concentration‐response relationship for MADRS scores was best described using a turnover model (turnover time ~ 42 hours), whereas for the BP and HR rates this was an immediate effect model. For all PD effects, ketamine alone was superior to models with norketamine concentration linked to an effect. No covariates were identified for PD effects. The estimated half‐maximal effective concentration from the MADRS score, BP, and HR were 0.44, 468, and 7,580 ng/mL, respectively. The integrated population models were able to effectively describe the PK/PD relationships for MADRS scores, BP, and HR after i.v., s.c., and i.m. ketamine administration. These findings allow for a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between route of ketamine administration and clinical response and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Y Abuhelwa
- UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Colleen K Loo
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Black Dog Institute, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Glue
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Daniel T Barratt
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David J R Foster
- UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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11
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Giri AR, Kaur N, Yarrarapu SNS, Rottman Pietrzak KA, Santos C, Lowman PE, Niaz S, Franco PM, Sanghavi DK. "Novel Management of Depression Using Ketamine in the Intensive Care Unit". J Intensive Care Med 2022; 37:1654-1661. [PMID: 35313768 DOI: 10.1177/08850666221088220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, induces improvement in depressive symptoms by antagonizing glutaminergic NMDA receptors. Ketamine has been used previously in outpatient setting for treatment-resistant depression, but we showcase its utility in depression management at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Research Question: Can ketamine be used for depression treatment in ICU patients? Study Design and Methods: A retrospective chart review of ICU patients was done at a tertiary center from 2018 to 2021, to assess the ketamine usage. Among the patients reviewed, ketamine was used for depression in 12, and for analgesia & sedation in 2322 patients. Ketamine was administered in doses of 0.5mg/kg & 0.75mg/kg for depression. Each course consisted of 3 doses of ketamine administered over 3 days, and 7 in 12 patients received a single course of ketamine. The rest received 3-4 courses 1 week apart. Results: Ketamine was found to improve mood and affect in most of the patients with depression. 11 in 12 patients had a positive response with better sleep. It has a major advantage over conventional anti-depressants since it takes only a few hours to induce clinical improvement. Patients who were observably withdrawn from care team and family, were administered ketamine. Conclusion: A major drawback of ketamine is that the duration of clinical improvement is short, with the response lasting only up to seven days after a single dose. Hence, all the patients in our study were weaned off ketamine with a supporting antidepressant. Ketamine has been documented to cause cardio-neurotoxicity; however, only one patient had worsening lethargy in our study. To conclude, ketamine has a marked benefit in treating depression in the ICU. Although our study was associated with positive outcomes, there is a need for prospective studies with long-term follow-up assessments.
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12
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Walsh Z, Mollaahmetoglu OM, Rootman J, Golsof S, Keeler J, Marsh B, Nutt DJ, Morgan CJA. Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review. BJPsych Open 2021; 8:e19. [PMID: 35048815 PMCID: PMC8715255 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past two decades, subanaesthetic doses of ketamine have been demonstrated to have rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, and accumulating research has demonstrated ketamine's therapeutic effects for a range of psychiatric conditions. AIMS In light of these findings surrounding ketamine's psychotherapeutic potential, we systematically review the extant evidence on ketamine's effects in treating mental health disorders. METHOD The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (identifier CRD42019130636). Human studies investigating the therapeutic effects of ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders were included. Because of the extensive research in depression, bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation, only systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. We searched Medline and PsycINFO on 21 October 2020. Risk-of-bias analysis was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools and A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) Checklist. RESULTS We included 83 published reports in the final review: 33 systematic reviews, 29 randomised controlled trials, two randomised trials without placebo, three non-randomised trials with controls, six open-label trials and ten retrospective reviews. The results were presented via narrative synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Systematic reviews and meta-analyses provide support for robust, rapid and transient antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects of ketamine. Evidence for other indications is less robust, but suggests similarly positive and short-lived effects. The conclusions should be interpreted with caution because of the high risk of bias of included studies. Optimal dosing, modes of administration and the most effective forms of adjunctive psychotherapeutic support should be examined further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Joseph Rootman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shannon Golsof
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Johanna Keeler
- Eating Disorders Research Group, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK
| | - Beth Marsh
- Psychopharmacology and Addiction Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, UK; and Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK
| | - David J Nutt
- Drug Science, UK; and Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Celia J A Morgan
- Psychopharmacology and Addiction Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, UK
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13
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Bayes A, Dong V, Martin D, Alonzo A, Kabourakis M, Loo C. Ketamine treatment for depression: A model of care. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2021; 55:1134-1143. [PMID: 34384256 DOI: 10.1177/00048674211039166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ketamine and related compounds are emerging as rapidly acting therapies for treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine differs from standard antidepressants in its speed of action, specific acute and cumulative side effects, risk of dependence and regulatory requirements. However, there is currently little guidance offering translation from research studies into clinical practice. We therefore detail a comprehensive model of care for ketamine treatment of depression. METHOD We formulated a set of policies and procedures for a 'compassionate use' ketamine programme that developed out of our clinical research in ketamine. These policies and procedures were formulated into a detailed model of care. RESULTS The current Australian and New Zealand regulatory frameworks and professional bodies' recommendations regarding ketamine are detailed along with clinical governance and infrastructure considerations. We next describe a four-step model comprising initial assessment, pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment phases. The model comprises thorough psychiatric and medical assessments examining patient suitability, a rigorous consenting process and structured safety monitoring across an acute treatment course or maintenance therapy. Our ketamine dose-titration method is detailed allowing flexible dosing of patients across a treatment course enabling individualised treatment. CONCLUSION The model of care aims to bridge the gap between efficacy studies and clinical care outside of research settings as ketamine and related compounds become increasingly important therapies for treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bayes
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney Neurostimulation Centre (SyNC), Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vanessa Dong
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Donel Martin
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelo Alonzo
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Kabourakis
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Colleen Loo
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney Neurostimulation Centre (SyNC), Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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14
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Use of ketamine and esketamine for depression: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 78:311-338. [PMID: 34705064 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-021-03216-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To summarize the evidence of efficacy and safety of the use of ketamine and esketamine for depression. METHODS A literature search was performed in Medline, the Cochrane Library, LILACS, and CRD until November 2020. We included systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials on the use of ketamine and esketamine in adult patients with depression. Two authors independently performed the study selection and data extraction. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used to appraise the quality of included reviews. RESULTS A total of 118 records were identified, and 11 studies fully met the eligibility criteria. Compared to control, ketamine improved the clinical response at 40 min to 1 week and clinical remission at 80 min to 72 h, and esketamine improved both outcomes at 2 h to 4 weeks. Ketamine and esketamine also had a beneficial effect on the depression scales score and suicidality. For adverse events, oral ketamine did not show significant change compared to control, while intranasal esketamine showed difference for any events, such as dissociation, dizziness, hypoesthesia, and vertigo. Most reviews were classified as "critically low quality," and none of them declared the source of funding of the primary studies and assessed the potential impact of risk of bias in primary studies. CONCLUSION Ketamine and esketamine showed a significant antidepressant action within a few hours or days after administration; however, the long-term efficacy and safety are lacking. In addition, the methodological quality of the reviews was usually critically low, which may indicate the need for higher quality evidence in relation to the theme.
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15
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Muthukumaraswamy SD, Forsyth A, Lumley T. Blinding and expectancy confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:1133-1152. [PMID: 34038314 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1933434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing interest in the potential for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ketamine to treat several mental health disorders, with a growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) being conducted to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of psychedelics.Areas covered: We review previous literature on expectancy effects and blinding in the context of psychedelic RCTs - literature which strongly suggest that psychedelic RCTs might be confounded by de-blinding and expectancy. We conduct systematic reviews of psychedelic RCTs using Medline, PsychInfo and EMBASE (Jan 1990 - Nov 2020) and show that currently reported psychedelic RCTs have generally not reported pre-trial expectancy, nor the success of blinding procedures.Expert opinion: While psychedelic RCTs have generally shown promising results, with large effect sizes reported, we argue that treatment effect sizes in psychedelic RCTs are likely over-estimated due to de-blinding of participants and high levels of response expectancy. We suggest that psychedelic RCTs should routinely measure de-blinding and expectancy. Careful attention should be paid to clinical trial design and the instructions given to participants to allow these confounds to be reduced, estimated and removed from effect size estimates. We urge caution in interpreting effect size estimates from extant psychedelic RCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Forsyth
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Lumley
- Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Lee W, Sheehan C, Chye R, Chang S, Loo C, Draper B, Agar M, Currow DC. Study protocol for SKIPMDD: subcutaneous ketamine infusion in palliative care patients with advanced life limiting illnesses for major depressive disorder (phase II pilot feasibility study). BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052312. [PMID: 34183351 PMCID: PMC8240583 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major depressive disorder (MDD) in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses can have significant impact on the quality-of-life of those affected. The management of MDD in the palliative care setting can be challenging as typical antidepressants may not work in time nor be tolerated due to coexisting organ dysfunctions, symptom burden and frailty. Parenteral ketamine was found to exhibit effective and rapid-onset antidepressant effect even against treatment-resistant depression in the psychiatric population. However, there is currently neither feasibility study nor available prospective study available to inform of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of such for MDD in the palliative setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is an open-labelled, single arm, phase II pilot feasibility study involving adult patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses and MDD across four palliative care services in Australia. It has an individual dose-titration design (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) with weekly treatments of subcutaneous ketamine infusion over 2 hours. The primary outcome is feasibility. The secondary outcomes are related to the safety, tolerability and antidepressant efficacy of ketamine, participants' satisfaction in relation to the trial process and the reasons for not completing the study at various stages. The feasibility data will be reported using descriptive statistics. Meanwhile, side effects, tolerability and efficacy data will be analysed using change of assessment scores from baseline. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval was acquired (South Western Sydney Local Health District: HREC/18/LPOOL/466). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Number: ACTRN12618001586202; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lee
- Improving Care for Palliative Aged, and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Richard Chye
- Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sungwon Chang
- Improving Care for Palliative Aged, and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Colleen Loo
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brian Draper
- Department of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meera Agar
- Improving Care for Palliative Aged, and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David C Currow
- Improving Care for Palliative Aged, and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cancer Institute New South Wales, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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17
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Kohtala S. Ketamine-50 years in use: from anesthesia to rapid antidepressant effects and neurobiological mechanisms. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:323-345. [PMID: 33609274 PMCID: PMC7994242 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00232-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, ketamine has solidified its position in both human and veterinary medicine as an important anesthetic with many uses. More recently, ketamine has been studied and used for several new indications, ranging from chronic pain to drug addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. The discovery of the rapid-acting antidepressant effects of ketamine has resulted in a surge of interest towards understanding the precise mechanisms driving its effects. Indeed, ketamine may have had the largest impact for advancements in the research and treatment of psychiatric disorders in the past few decades. While intense research efforts have been aimed towards uncovering the molecular targets underlying ketamine's effects in treating depression, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain elusive. These efforts are made more difficult by ketamine's complex dose-dependent effects on molecular mechanisms, multiple pharmacologically active metabolites, and a mechanism of action associated with the facilitation of synaptic plasticity. This review aims to provide a brief overview of the different uses of ketamine, with an emphasis on examining ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects spanning molecular, cellular, and network levels. Another focus of the review is to offer a perspective on studies related to the different doses of ketamine used in antidepressant research. Finally, the review discusses some of the latest hypotheses concerning ketamine's action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kohtala
- Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics, Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- SleepWell Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Zhou YL, Liu WJ, Wang CY, Zheng W, Lan XF, Weng SY, Ning YP. Cardiovascular effects of repeated subanaesthetic ketamine infusion in depression. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:159-167. [PMID: 32720857 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120936909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine produces significant rapid-onset and robust antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder. However, this drug also has transient cardiovascular stimulatory effects, and there are limited data about potential predictors of these cardiovascular effects. METHODS A total of 135 patients with unipolar and bipolar depression received a total of 741 ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min). Blood pressure and pulse were monitored every 10 min during the infusions and 30 min after the infusions. Depressive, psychotomimetic and dissociative symptom severity was assessed at baseline and 4 hours after each infusion. RESULTS The maximum blood pressure and pulse values were observed at 30-40 min during infusions. The largest mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure increases were 7.4/6.0 mmHg, and the largest mean pulse increase was 1.9 beats per min. No significant change in blood pressure and pulse was found in the second to sixth infusions compared with the first infusion. Patients who were older (age⩾50 years), hypertensive and receiving infusions while exhibiting dissociative symptoms showed greater maximal changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than patients who were younger (age<50 years), normotensive and without dissociative symptoms (all p < 0.05). Hypertensive patients had less elevation of pulse than normotensive patients (p < 0.05). Ketamine dosage was positively correlated with changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Blood pressure and pulse elevations following subanaesthetic ketamine infusions are transient and do not cause serious cardiovascular events. Older age, hypertension, large ketamine dosage and dissociative symptoms may predict increased ketamine-induced cardiovascular effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ling Zhou
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Jian Liu
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Yu Wang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Lan
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sui-Yun Weng
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ping Ning
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the currently available data on the use of ketamine in the treatment of depression among older adults from randomized controlled studies. DESIGN Randomized controlled trials. SETTING Variable. PARTICIPANTS 60 years and older with depression. INTERVENTION Ketamine. MEASUREMENTS Change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores. RESULTS Two studies met the inclusion criteria. The first study showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms with use of repeated subcutaneous ketamine administration among older adults with depression. The second study failed to achieve significance on its primary outcome measure but did show a decrease in MADRS scores with intranasal ketamine along with a higher response and remission rates in esketamine group compared with the placebo group. The adverse effects from ketamine generally lasted only a few hours and abated spontaneously. No cognitive adverse effects were noted in either trial from the use of ketamine. CONCLUSIONS The current evidence for use of ketamine among older adults with depression indicates some benefits with one positive and one negative trial. Although one of the trials did not achieve significance on the primary outcome measure, it still showed benefit of ketamine in reducing depressive symptoms. Ketamine was well tolerated in both studies with adverse effects being mild and transient.
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20
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Tashakkori M, Ford A, Dragovic M, Gabriel L, Waters F. The time course of psychotic symptom side effects of ketamine in the treatment of depressive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Australas Psychiatry 2021; 29:80-87. [PMID: 33181029 DOI: 10.1177/1039856220961642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ketamine is a potential rapid-acting treatment for depression. Studies have suggested that the side effects are minimal and temporary, but the psychotic symptom side effects have yet to be fully examined. This study investigated whether ketamine infusion in the treatment of mood disorders is associated with increases in positive symptoms and whether these symptom effects endure over time. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of ketamine in the treatment of depression. Embase and Medline databases were searched for studies including (a) participants with major affective disorders, (b) 0.4 or 0.5 mg intravenously administered ketamine, (c) measurement of positive symptoms using BPRS+, and (d) a within-subject repeated-measures design with participants serving as their own baseline. RESULTS Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 458 participants. The meta-analyses examined symptom change occurring within the first 4 h, after 1 day, and after 3 days. Results showed significant BPRS+ increases within the first 30-60 min in 72% of studies, followed by a return to baseline levels. CONCLUSION Peak symptom change occurred within the first hour post infusion. There are limited data to determine if ketamine is safe in the longer term, but there were no indications that psychotic symptoms re-occurred after the first hour and in the days following administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Tashakkori
- North Metropolitan Area Health Service - Mental Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew Ford
- Division of Psychiatry, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Milan Dragovic
- Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital, North Metropolitan Area Health Service - Mental Health, WA, Australia.,Division of Psychiatry, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Laura Gabriel
- Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital, North Metropolitan Area Health Service - Mental Health, WA, Australia
| | - Flavie Waters
- Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital, North Metropolitan Area Health Service - Mental Health, WA, Australia; and School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
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21
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Na KS, Kim YK. Increased use of ketamine for the treatment of depression: Benefits and concerns. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110060. [PMID: 32777326 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Ketamine was initially used as an anesthetic which could induce cognitive impairment and psychomimetic effects. In initial randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that mostly included a small sample size and were investigator-initiated, ketamine reportedly exerted antidepressant effects 1 to 2 h after a single intravenous infusion in patients with major depressive episodes, particularly treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Interest in ketamine was reported in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, however, many were primarily focused on the rapid onset of ketamine effects without equal attention to its safety and tolerability. Furthermore, several meta-analyses were based on many duplicated RCTs. The initial trends emphasized the clinical utility of ketamine as an antidepressant. The development of esketamine nasal spray by a pharmaceutical company led to an RCT with a large sample size and segmented therapeutic strategy, which provided results applicable to patients with TRD in the real-world clinical environment. However, possible effects of ketamine on cognitive function have not yet been investigated in RCTs. In numerous studies, chronic, recreational use of ketamine reportedly substantially impaired cognitive function in most domains. Although results of several human and animal studies indicated the therapeutic use of ketamine for treatment of depression did not induce cognitive impairment, this issue should be further investigated. Based on the current knowledge about ketamine, future antidepressants are expected to be glutamatergic drugs without ketamine-like adverse events (e.g., psychomimetic symptoms and cognitive impairment), but having only ketamine-like therapeutic properties (e.g., rapid antidepressants effects without time lag).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Ragnhildstveit A, Jackson LK, Cunningham S, Good L, Tanner Q, Roughan M, Henrie-Barrus P. Case Report: Unexpected Remission From Extreme and Enduring Bulimia Nervosa With Repeated Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:764112. [PMID: 34867548 PMCID: PMC8635499 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.764112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bulimia nervosa is a disabling psychiatric disorder that considerably impairs physical health, disrupts psychosocial functioning, and reduces overall quality of life. Despite available treatment, less than half of sufferers achieve recovery and approximately a third become chronically ill. Extreme and enduring cases are particularly resistant to first-line treatment, namely antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy, and have the highest rate of premature mortality. Here, we demonstrate that in such cases, repeated sessions of ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an effective treatment alternative for improving symptoms. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old woman presented with extreme and enduring bulimia nervosa. She reported recurrent binge-eating and purging by self-induced vomiting 40 episodes per day, which proved refractory to both pharmacological and behavioral treatment at the outpatient, residential, and inpatient level. Provided this, her physician recommended repeated KAP as an exploratory and off-label intervention for her eating disorder. The patient underwent three courses of KAP over 3 months, with each course consisting of six sessions scheduled twice weekly. She showed dramatic reductions in binge-eating and purging following the first course of treatment that continued with the second and third. Complete cessation of behavioral symptoms was achieved 3 months post-treatment. Her remission has sustained for over 1 year to date. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of repeated KAP used to treat bulimia nervosa that led to complete and sustained remission, a rare outcome for severe and enduring cases, let alone extreme ones. Additionally, it highlights the degree to which KAP can be tailored at the individual level based on symptom severity and treatment response. While its mechanism of action is unclear, repeated KAP is a promising intervention for bulimia nervosa that warrants future research and clinical practice consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Ragnhildstveit
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Laura Kate Jackson
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Sarah Cunningham
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Linda Good
- Behavioral Science Department, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, United States
| | - Quinn Tanner
- Division of Public Health, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Matthew Roughan
- Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Riverwoods Behavioral Health, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Patricia Henrie-Barrus
- Riverwoods Behavioral Health, Provo, UT, United States.,Department of Educational Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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23
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Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with major implications for healthcare system and socioeconomic burden. For chronic and treatment-resistant depression, Ketamine has emerged as a possible treatment option. This systematic review explores the evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of Ketamine in patients with MDD. This systematic review was conducted following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. Eight electronic databases were searched by using search terms: (ketamine) AND (trial OR RCT OR clinical-trial) AND (depressive OR depression OR "depressive-disorder"). After a rigorous screening process against the predetermined eligibility criteria, 35 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Quality assessment of included studies was done by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs. Thirty-five RCTs are included in this review article with majority of studies from United States, Iran, and China. Intravenous (IV) Ketamine was effective in 70% (21/30) of the included studies whereas oral and Intranasal (IN) Ketamine were effective in two and three studies, respectively. The majority of studies (6/8) using Ketamine as anesthetic agent during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) failed to show an improvement compared to the participants receiving ECT and placebo. The most common reported side effects were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diplopia, drowsiness, dysphoria, hallucinations, and confusion. Ketamine is an effective treatment option for patients with MDD with undesirable effects when administered via oral, IV and IN routes. Ketamine agumentation of ECT requires further exploration in well-designed studies with adequate sample size. The short-lived antidepressant effect of Ketamine is a potential limitation, therefore, further studies administering multiple infusions for acute treatment and maintenance are necessary.
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24
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Fallon IP, Tanner MK, Greenwood BN, Baratta MV. Sex differences in resilience: Experiential factors and their mechanisms. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2530-2547. [PMID: 31800125 PMCID: PMC7269860 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adverse life events can lead to stable changes in brain structure and function and are considered primary sources of risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, most individuals do not develop these conditions following exposure to traumatic experiences, and research efforts have identified a number of experiential factors associated with an individual's ability to withstand, adapt to and facilitate recovery from adversity. While multiple animal models of stress resilience exist, so that the detailed biological mechanisms can be explored, studies have been disproportionately conducted in male subjects even though the prevalence and presentation of stress-linked disorders differ between sexes. This review focuses on (a) the mechanisms by which experiential factors (behavioral control over a stressor, exercise) reduce the impact of adverse events as studied in males; (b) whether other manipulations (ketamine) that buffer against stress-induced sequelae engage the same circuit features; and (c) whether these processes operate similarly in females. We argue that investigation of experiential factors that produce resistance/resilience rather than vulnerability to adversity will generate a unique set of biological mechanisms that potentially underlie sex differences in mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella P. Fallon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Margaret K. Tanner
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, 80217, USA
| | | | - Michael V. Baratta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
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25
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Li M, Woelfer M, Colic L, Safron A, Chang C, Heinze HJ, Speck O, Mayberg HS, Biswal BB, Salvadore G, Fejtova A, Walter M. Default mode network connectivity change corresponds to ketamine's delayed glutamatergic effects. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:207-216. [PMID: 30353262 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-018-0942-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine exerts rapid antidepressant effects peaking 24 h after a single infusion, which have been suggested to be reflected by both reduced functional connectivity (FC) within default mode network (DMN) and altered glutamatergic levels in the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) at 24 h. Understanding the interrelation and time point specificity of ketamine-induced changes of brain circuitry and metabolism is thus key to future therapeutic developments. We investigated the correlation of late glutamatergic changes with FC changes seeded from the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and tested the prediction of the latter by acute fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 61 healthy subjects, we compared effects of subanesthetic ketamine infusion (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min) on resting-state fMRI and MR-Spectroscopy at 7 T 1 h and 24 h post-infusion. FC decrease between PCC and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) was found at 24 h post-infusion (but not 1 h) and this FC decrease correlated with glutamatergic changes at 24 h in pgACC. Acute increase in fALFF was found in ventral PCC at 1 h which was not observed at 24 h and inversely correlated with the reduced dPCC FC towards the dmPFC at 24 h. The correlation of metabolic and functional markers of delayed ketamine effects and their temporal specificity suggest a potential mechanistic relationship between glutamatergic modulation and reconfiguration of brain regions belonging to the DMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marie Woelfer
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Lejla Colic
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Adam Safron
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Catie Chang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hans-Jochen Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Speck
- Department Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Helen S Mayberg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Anna Fejtova
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
- RG Presynaptic Plasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Department Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Osianderstrasse 24, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
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26
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Kokane SS, Armant RJ, Bolaños-Guzmán CA, Perrotti LI. Overlap in the neural circuitry and molecular mechanisms underlying ketamine abuse and its use as an antidepressant. Behav Brain Res 2020; 384:112548. [PMID: 32061748 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic and psychedelic compound, has revolutionized the field of psychopharmacology by showing robust, and rapid-acting antidepressant activity in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), suicidal tendencies, and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine's efficacy, however, is transient, and patients must return to the clinic for repeated treatment as they experience relapse. This is cause for concern because ketamine is known for its abuse liability, and repeated exposure to drugs of abuse often leads to drug abuse/dependence. Though the mechanism(s) underlying its antidepressant activity is an area of current intense research, both clinical and preclinical evidence shows that ketamine's effects are mediated, at least in part, by molecular adaptations resulting in long-lasting synaptic changes in mesolimbic brain regions known to regulate natural and drug reward. This review outlines our limited knowledge of ketamine's neurobiological and biochemical underpinnings mediating its antidepressant effects and correlates them to its abuse potential. Depression and addiction share overlapping neural circuitry and molecular mechanisms, and though speculative, repeated use of ketamine for the treatment of depression could lead to the development of substance use disorder/addiction, and thus should be tempered with caution. There is much that remains to be known about the long-term effects of ketamine, and our lack of understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying its antidepressant effects is a clear limiting factor that needs to be addressed systematically before using repeated ketamine in the treatment of depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh S Kokane
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, United States
| | - Ross J Armant
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, United States
| | - Carlos A Bolaños-Guzmán
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, United States
| | - Linda I Perrotti
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, United States.
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27
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Witt K, Potts J, Hubers A, Grunebaum MF, Murrough JW, Loo C, Cipriani A, Hawton K. Ketamine for suicidal ideation in adults with psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment trials. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2020; 54:29-45. [PMID: 31729893 DOI: 10.1177/0004867419883341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ketamine may reduce suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression. But it is not known how quickly this occurs and how long it persists. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the short- and long-term effectiveness of ketamine for suicidality. METHOD CENTRAL, EMBASE, Medline, and PsycINFO were searched until 12 December 2018. Randomised controlled trials of ketamine or esketamine reporting data on suicidal ideation, self-harm, attempted or completed suicide in adults diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data, and certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool. Standardised mean difference was used for continuous outcomes. RESULTS Twenty-five reports from 15 independent trials, with a total of 572 participants diagnosed with predominately affective disorders, were included. The evidence was rated moderate to low. In most trials, ketamine was administered at 0.5 mg/kg via a single intravenous infusion over a 30- to 45-minute period. Only a single trial of intranasal esketamine was identified. At 4 hours post-infusion, treatment with ketamine was associated with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation scores (standardised mean difference = -0.51, 95% confidence interval = [-1.00, -0.03]), which persisted until 72 hours post-infusion (time points between 12 and 24 hours: standardised mean difference = -0.63, 95% confidence interval = [-0.99, -0.26]; between 24 and 72 hours: standardised mean difference = -0.57, 95% confidence interval = [-0.99, -0.14]), but not thereafter. However, there was marked heterogeneity of results. In a single trial of esketamine, marginal effects on suicidal ideation were observed. In terms of actual suicidal behaviour, there were virtually no data on effects of ketamine or esketamine. CONCLUSION A single infusion of ketamine may have a short-term (up to 72 hours) beneficial impact on suicidal thoughts. While confirmation of these results in further trials is needed, they suggest possible use of ketamine to treat acute suicidality. Means of sustaining any anti-suicidal effect need to be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Witt
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Potts
- Warneford Hospital, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Hubers
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michael F Grunebaum
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - James W Murrough
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Colleen Loo
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Warneford Hospital, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Warneford Hospital, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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28
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Kim JW, Monteggia LM. Increasing doses of ketamine curtail antidepressant responses and suppress associated synaptic signaling pathways. Behav Brain Res 2019; 380:112378. [PMID: 31760154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Clinical findings show that a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine elicits rapid antidepressant effects. Accumulating data suggests that ketamine blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and results in specific effects on intracellular signaling including increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression, which augments synaptic responses required for rapid antidepressant effects. To further investigate this potential mechanism for ketamine's antidepressant action, we examined the effect of increasing ketamine doses on intracellular signaling, synaptic plasticity, and rapid antidepressant effects. Given that ketamine is often used at 2.5-10 mg/kg to examine antidepressant effects and 20-50 mg/kg to model schizophrenia, we compared effects at 5, 20 and 50 mg/kg. We found that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of low dose (5 mg/kg) ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects, which were not observed at 20 or 50 mg/kg. At 5 mg/kg ketamine significantly increased the level of BDNF, a protein necessary for the rapid antidepressant effects, while 20 and 50 mg/kg ketamine did not alter BDNF levels in the hippocampus. Low concentration ketamine also evoked the highest synaptic potentiation in the hippocampal CA1, while higher concentrations significantly decreased the synaptic effects. Our results suggest low dose ketamine produces antidepressant effects and has independent behavioral and synaptic effects compared to higher doses of ketamine that are used to model schizophrenia. These findings strengthen our knowledge on specific signaling associated with ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Woon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240-7933, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240-7933, USA
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240-7933, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240-7933, USA.
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29
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Kohtala S, Theilmann W, Rosenholm M, Müller HK, Kiuru P, Wegener G, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Rantamäki T. Ketamine-induced regulation of TrkB-GSK3β signaling is accompanied by slow EEG oscillations and sedation but is independent of hydroxynorketamine metabolites. Neuropharmacology 2019; 157:107684. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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30
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Corriger A, Pickering G. Ketamine and depression: a narrative review. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2019; 13:3051-3067. [PMID: 31695324 PMCID: PMC6717708 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s221437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Depression is the third leading cause of disability in the world. Depressive symptoms may be reduced within several weeks after the start of conventional antidepressants, but treatment resistance concerns one-third of patients who fail to achieve recovery. Over the last 20 years, ketamine, an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, has been described to have antidepressant properties. A literature review was conducted through an exhaustive electronic search. It was restricted to Cochrane reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ketamine for major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder. This review included two Cochrane reviews, 14 meta-analyses and 15 trials. Ketamine was studied versus placebo, versus other comparators and as an anesthetic adjuvant before electroconvulsive therapy. In 14 publications, ketamine provided a rapid antidepressant effect with a maximum efficacy reached at 24 hrs. Its effect lasted for 1–2 weeks after infusion, but a longer-term effect is little reported. Ketamine does not seem to improve depressive symptoms at the end of electroconvulsive sessions. Safety and tolerability profiles with ketamine at low single dose are generally good in depressed patients. However, there is a lack of data concerning ketamine with repeated administration at higher doses. The clinical use of ketamine is increasing. Intranasal (S)-ketamine has recently been approved for depression by the Food and Drug Administration. It could be a promising treatment in depressed patients with suicidal ideation. Collectively, the level of proof of efficacy remains low and more RCTs are needed to explore efficacy and safety issues of ketamine in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandrine Corriger
- Neuro-Dol Laboratory Inserm 1107, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Clinical Pharmacology Department CPC/CIC Inserm 1405, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Gisèle Pickering
- Neuro-Dol Laboratory Inserm 1107, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Clinical Pharmacology Department CPC/CIC Inserm 1405, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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31
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Ng CH, Kato T, Han C, Wang G, Trivedi M, Ramesh V, Shao D, Gala S, Narayanan S, Tan W, Feng Y, Kasper S. Definition of treatment-resistant depression - Asia Pacific perspectives. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:626-636. [PMID: 30445388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of uniformity in the definition of treatment resistant depression (TRD) within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region may have implications for patient management. We aimed to characterize the most commonly used TRD definition in selected APAC countries. METHODS A systematic literature review of TRD definitions in APAC countries was conducted in Medline and Embase (2010-2016) and conference proceedings (2014 and 2016). TRD guidelines (APAC, Europe regional, US, or international) were also searched. An expert-panel explored APAC nuances in TRD definitions to achieve consensus for a regional-level definition. RESULTS Ten guidelines and 89 studies qualified for study inclusion. Among the studies, variations were observed in definitions regarding: number of antidepressants failed (range: ≥1 to ≥3), classes of antidepressants (same or different; 59% did not specify class), duration of previous treatments (range: 4-12 weeks), dosage adequacy, and consideration of adherence (yes/no; 88% of studies did not consider adherence). No TRD-specific guidelines were identified. The emerging consensus from the literature review and panel discussion was that TRD is most commonly defined as failure to ≥2 antidepressant therapies given at adequate doses, for 6-8 weeks during a major depressive episode. LIMITATIONS Few studies provided definitions of TRD used in daily clinical practice, and a limited number of countries were represented in the included studies and expert panel. CONCLUSION Attaining consensus on TRD definition may promote accurate, and possibly early detection of patients with TRD to enable appropriate intervention that may impact patient outcomes and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - T Kato
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - C Han
- Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - G Wang
- Capital Medical University, Anding Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - M Trivedi
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX, US
| | - V Ramesh
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | - D Shao
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | - S Gala
- Market Access Solutions, LLC, USA
| | | | - W Tan
- Janssen Asia Pacific, Singapore
| | - Y Feng
- Janssen Asia Pacific, Singapore
| | - S Kasper
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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32
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Eldufani J, Nekoui A, Blaise G. Nonanesthetic Effects of Ketamine: A Review Article. Am J Med 2018; 131:1418-1424. [PMID: 29753795 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine is considered a dissociative anesthetic medication, and it is commonly administered by a parenteral route. It works mainly by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. It inhibits the voltage-gated Na and K channels and serotonin and dopamine reuptake; also, it affects specific receptors, such as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, kainate, and aminobutyric acid A receptors. Ketamine appears to have particular mechanisms that are potentially involved during analgesic induction, including enhancing of descending inhibition and antiinflammatory effects. More recently, it has been shown that ketamine has potential in clinical practice for the management of chronic pain, cognitive function, depression, acute brain injury, and disorders of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jabril Eldufani
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Alireza Nekoui
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gilbert Blaise
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Centre Hospitalier de l'université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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33
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Virani S, Brainch N, Albuquerque C, Mitra S, Bodic M, Bazzi L. Exploring the Role of Ketamine in Maintaining the Antidepressant Response. Psychiatr Ann 2018. [DOI: 10.3928/00485713-20180816-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ren L, Deng J, Min S, Peng L, Chen Q. Ketamine in electroconvulsive therapy for depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 104:144-156. [PMID: 30077114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for depressive disorder. Sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine exerts a rapid and robust antidepressive effect. However, it is still unclear whether ketamine usage in ECT is efficacious as an antidepressant. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of ketamine in ECT among patients with depressive disorder. MEDLINE, EMBASE, the CENTRAL and PsycINFO for randomized controlled trials were searched to assess the effects of ketamine used in ECT until 31 Mar 2018 (PROSPERO: CRD42018081024). Sixteen studies including 928 patients were enrolled. At the end of ECT, no significant standardized mean difference (SMD) was observed in favor of the ketamine group. Depressive scores were lower in the ketamine group after 1st ECT and 3rd to 6th ECTs. The depressive scores were lower after 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th ECTs when the ketamine was used as an add-on anesthetic, while the depressive scores were lower after 1st ECT when ketamine alone was used. Ketamine in ECT showed no better response and remission rate, while increased adverse events, especially related to cardiovascular and psychiatric systems, during the whole ECT course. In conclusion, although ketamine used in ECT cannot reduce the depressive symptoms at the end of treatment, it could accelerate the antidepressive effect in depressive patients receiving ECT, especially in those who used ketamine as an add-on anesthetic. However, ketamine cautiously needs to be administered in ECT due to the possibility of increased risk of side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Jie Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Su Min
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China.
| | - Lihua Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
| | - Qibin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China
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Zanos P, Moaddel R, Morris PJ, Riggs LM, Highland JN, Georgiou P, Pereira EFR, Albuquerque EX, Thomas CJ, Zarate CA, Gould TD. Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:621-660. [PMID: 29945898 PMCID: PMC6020109 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.015198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 633] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, a racemic mixture consisting of (S)- and (R)-ketamine, has been in clinical use since 1970. Although best characterized for its dissociative anesthetic properties, ketamine also exerts analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant actions. We provide a comprehensive review of these therapeutic uses, emphasizing drug dose, route of administration, and the time course of these effects. Dissociative, psychotomimetic, cognitive, and peripheral side effects associated with short-term or prolonged exposure, as well as recreational ketamine use, are also discussed. We further describe ketamine's pharmacokinetics, including its rapid and extensive metabolism to norketamine, dehydronorketamine, hydroxyketamine, and hydroxynorketamine (HNK) metabolites. Whereas the anesthetic and analgesic properties of ketamine are generally attributed to direct ketamine-induced inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, other putative lower-affinity pharmacological targets of ketamine include, but are not limited to, γ-amynobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, serotonin, sigma, opioid, and cholinergic receptors, as well as voltage-gated sodium and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. We examine the evidence supporting the relevance of these targets of ketamine and its metabolites to the clinical effects of the drug. Ketamine metabolites may have broader clinical relevance than was previously considered, given that HNK metabolites have antidepressant efficacy in preclinical studies. Overall, pharmacological target deconvolution of ketamine and its metabolites will provide insight critical to the development of new pharmacotherapies that possess the desirable clinical effects of ketamine, but limit undesirable side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Ruin Moaddel
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Patrick J Morris
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Lace M Riggs
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Jaclyn N Highland
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Edna F R Pereira
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Edson X Albuquerque
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
| | - Todd D Gould
- Departments of Psychiatry (P.Z., L.M.R., J.N.H., P.G., T.D.G.), Pharmacology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A., T.D.G.), Anatomy and Neurobiology (T.D.G.), Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Translational Toxicology (E.F.R.P., E.X.A.), Medicine (E.X.A.), and Program in Neuroscience (L.M.R.) and Toxicology (J.N.H.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland (R.M.); Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (P.J.M., C.J.T.); and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (C.A.Z.)
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Gálvez V, Li A, Huggins C, Glue P, Martin D, Somogyi AA, Alonzo A, Rodgers A, Mitchell PB, Loo CK. Repeated intranasal ketamine for treatment-resistant depression - the way to go? Results from a pilot randomised controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29542371 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118760660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine research in depression has mostly used intravenous, weight-based approaches, which are difficult to translate clinically. Intranasal (IN) ketamine is a promising alternative but no controlled data has been published on the feasibility, safety and potential efficacy of repeated IN ketamine treatments. METHODS This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study compared a 4-week course of eight treatments of 100 mg ketamine or 4.5 mg midazolam. Each treatment was given as 10 separate IN sprays, self-administered 5 min apart. The study was stopped early due to poor tolerability after five treatment-resistant depressed participants were included. Feasibility, safety (acute and cumulative), cognitive and efficacy outcomes were assessed. Plasma ketamine and norketamine concentrations were assayed after the first treatment. RESULTS Significant acute cardiovascular, psychotomimetic and neurological side effects occurred at doses < 100 mg ketamine. No participants were able to self-administer all 10 ketamine sprays due to incoordination; treatment time occasionally had to be extended (>45 min) due to acute side effects. No hepatic, cognitive or urinary changes were observed after the treatment course in either group. There was an approximately two-fold variation in ketamine and norketamine plasma concentrations between ketamine participants. At course end, one participant had remitted in each of the ketamine and midazolam groups. CONCLUSIONS IN ketamine, with the drug formulation and delivery device used, was not a useful treatment approach in this study. Absorption was variable between individuals and acute tolerability was poor, requiring prolonged treatment administration time in some individuals. The drug formulation, the delivery device, the insufflation technique and individual patient factors play an important role in tolerability and efficacy when using IN ketamine for TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verònica Gálvez
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,2 Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Adrienne Li
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christina Huggins
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Glue
- 3 Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Donel Martin
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,2 Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- 4 Discipline of Pharmacology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Angelo Alonzo
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,2 Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- 5 The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Philip B Mitchell
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,2 Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Colleen K Loo
- 1 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,2 Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia.,6 Wesley Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,7 St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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The role of glutamatergic modulation in the mechanism of action of ketamine, a prototype rapid-acting antidepressant drug. Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:837-846. [PMID: 32002973 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, ketamine has been one of the most commonly studied potential antidepressants. This is because it produces a spectacularly rapid and persistent therapeutic effect in people suffering from severe treatment-resistant depression (TRD), for which classical drugs are ineffective. Similar efficacy was demonstrated for scopolamine, a drug belonging to a completely different pharmacological group. This interesting coincidence piqued the interest of psychopharmacologists and prompted them to search for a possible common mechanism of these rapid acting antidepressant drugs (RAADs). A thorough explanation of this mechanism is also important because each of these substances induces serious side effects. Knowing the mechanism responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of RAADs could lead to minimizing, or even avoiding certain undesirable effects. This review provides an overview of the mechanism of action of a prototype RAAD, ketamine, in animal models, with a particular focus on the roles of NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors, synaptogenesis, and modulation of glutamate transmission by other modulators of this system, such as mGlu receptor ligands. Recently studied roles for ketamine enantiomers and metabolites in its rapid antidepressant effect are also considered. Finally, the results of multiple clinical trials are reported and discussed in relation to basic research. This review concludes that success in introducing novel therapeutic RAADs will depend on better cooperation and integration of neuroscience research and clinical practice.
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Zhang M, Rosenheck R, Lin X, Li Q, Zhou Y, Xiao Y, Huang X, Fan N, He H. A randomized clinical trial of adjunctive ketamine anesthesia in electro-convulsive therapy for depression. J Affect Disord 2018; 227:372-378. [PMID: 29149755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a rapid acting and effective treatment for both major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BP). Both propofol and ketamine are commonly used anesthetic agents but recent clinical studies suggest that ketamine has rapid-acting antidepressant properties, itself, at sub-anesthetic doses. METHODS A total of 77 inpatients (41 MDD and 36 BP) were randomly assigned to receive ECT with propofol (1mg/kg) anesthesia or with ketamine (0.5mg/kg) plus propofol (0.5mg/kg). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) and Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), before and after 1, 2, 4, and 6 ECT treatments, and 1-4 weeks following the last treatment. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was evaluated at baseline,after the sixth ECT, and 1-4 weeks following the final ECT. Adverse effects were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks after the last treatment. RESULTS There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms, MCCB performance, or adverse effects between the treatment groups at any time. The electrical dose required to generate seizures in the ketamine plus propofol group was lower than that of the propofol only group at every time point. The seizure energy index and seizure duration in the ketamine plus propofol group was higher and longer than those in the propofol only group. LIMITATIONS The diagnoses of MDD and BP were unevenly distributed across treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine plus propofol anesthesia in the ECT treatment of MDD and BP was not superior on any measure to propofol alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minling Zhang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Robert Rosenheck
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Xiaoming Lin
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Qirong Li
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanling Zhou
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunshan Xiao
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiong Huang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ni Fan
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongbo He
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.
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Abstract
SummaryKetamine, a synthetic derivative of phencyclidine, is a commonly misused party drug that is restricted in high-income countries because of its addictive potential. Ketamine is also used as an anaesthetic in human and veterinary medicine. In the 1990s, research using ketamine to study the pathophysiology of schizophrenia was terminated owing to ethical concerns. Recently, controversy surrounding the drug has returned, as researchers have demonstrated that intravenous ketamine infusion has a rapid antidepressant effect and have therefore proposed ketamine as a novel antidepressant. This article debates the question of ketamine as an antidepressant, considering the drug's addictive potential, ethical concerns about prescribing a hallucinogen, the evidence base and motives behind ketamine trials.
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Vutskits L. General Anesthetics to Treat Major Depressive Disorder: Clinical Relevance and Underlying Mechanisms. Anesth Analg 2018; 126:208-216. [PMID: 29135596 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a frequent and devastating psychological condition with tremendous public health impact. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involve abnormal neurotransmission and a relatedly impaired synaptic plasticity. Since general anesthetics are potent modulators of neuronal activity and, thereby, can exert long-term context-dependent impact on neural networks, an intriguing hypothesis is that these drugs could enhance impaired neural plasticity associated with certain psychiatric diseases. Clinical observations over the past few decades appear to confirm this possibility. Indeed, equipotency of general anesthesia alone in comparison with electroconvulsive therapy under general anesthesia has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. Importantly, in the past 15 years, intravenous administration of subanesthetic doses of ketamine have also been demonstrated to have rapid antidepressant effects. The molecular, cellular, and network mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects have been partially identified. Although several important questions remain to be addressed, the ensemble of these experimental and clinical observations opens new therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of depressive disorders. Importantly, they also suggest a new therapeutic role for anesthetics that goes beyond their principal use in the perioperative period to facilitate surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laszlo Vutskits
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Intensive Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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41
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Loo C. Can we confidently use ketamine as a clinical treatment for depression? Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5:11-12. [PMID: 29277196 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30480-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Loo
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; St George Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
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Abstract
Fifteen to thirty percent of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to antidepressants that target the monoaminergic systems. NMDA antagonists are currently being actively investigated as a treatment for these patients. Ketamine is the most widely studied of the compounds. A brief infusion of a low dose of this agent produces rapid improvement in depressive symptoms that lasts for several days. The improvement occurs after the agent has produced its well characterized psychotomimetic and cognitive side effects. Multiple infusions of the agent (e.g., 2-3× per week for several weeks) provide relief from depressive symptoms, but the symptoms reoccur once the treatment has been stopped. A 96-h infusion of a higher dose using add-on clonidine to mitigate the psychotomimetic effects appears to also provide relief and resulted in about 40% of the subjects still having a good response 8 weeks after the infusion. As this was a pilot study, additional work is needed to confirm and extend this finding. Nitrous oxide also has had positive results. Of the other investigational agents, CERC-301 and rapastinel remain in clinical development. When careful monitoring of neuropsychiatric symptoms has been conducted, these agents all produce similar side effects in the same dose range, indicating that NMDA receptor blockade produces both the wanted and unwanted effects. Research is still needed to determine the appropriate dose, schedule, and ways to mitigate against unwanted side effects of NMDA receptor blockade. These hurdles need to be overcome before ketamine and similar agents can be prescribed routinely to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuri B Farber
- Residency Training, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Side-effects associated with ketamine use in depression: a systematic review. Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5:65-78. [PMID: 28757132 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30272-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This is the first systematic review of the safety of ketamine in the treatment of depression after single and repeated doses. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Databases and identified 288 articles, 60 of which met the inclusion criteria. After acute dosing, psychiatric, psychotomimetic, cardiovascular, neurological, and other side-effects were more frequently reported after ketamine treatment than after placebo in patients with depresssion. Our findings suggest a selective reporting bias with limited assessment of long-term use and safety and after repeated dosing, despite these being reported in other patient groups exposed to ketamine (eg, those with chronic pain) and in recreational users. We recommend large-scale clinical trials that include multiple doses of ketamine and long-term follow up to assess the safety of long-term regular use.
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Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Titrated Subcutaneous Ketamine in Older Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2017; 25:1199-1209. [PMID: 28739263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous ketamine for geriatric treatment-resistant depression. Secondary aims were to examine if repeated treatments were safe and more effective in inducing or prolonging remission than a single treatment. METHODS In this double-blind, controlled, multiple-crossover study with a 6-month follow-up (randomized controlled trial [RCT] phase), 16 participants (≥60 years) with treatment-resistant depression who relapsed after remission or did not remit in the RCT were administered an open-label phase. Up to five subcutaneous doses of ketamine (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mg/kg) were administered in separate sessions (≥1 week apart), with one active control (midazolam) randomly inserted (RCT phase). Twelve ketamine treatments were given in the open-label phase. Mood, hemodynamic, and psychotomimetic outcomes were assessed by blinded raters. Remitters in each phase were followed for 6 months. RESULTS Seven of 14 RCT-phase completers remitted with ketamine treatment. Five remitted at doses below 0.5 mg/kg. Doses ≥ 0.2 mg/kg were significantly more effective than midazolam. Ketamine was well tolerated. Repeated treatments resulted in higher likelihood of remission or longer time to relapse. CONCLUSION Results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy and safety of ketamine in treating elderly depressed. Dose titration is recommended for optimizing antidepressant and safety outcomes on an individual basis. Subcutaneous injection is a practical method for giving ketamine. Repeated treatments may improve remission rates (clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01441505).
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Castle C, Gray A, Neehoff S, Glue P. Effect of ketamine dose on self-rated dissociation in patients with treatment refractory anxiety disorders. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:1306-1311. [PMID: 28922961 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117725685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients receiving ketamine for refractory depression and anxiety report dissociative symptoms in the first 60 min post-dose. The most commonly used instrument to assess this is the Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS), developed based on the assessment of patients with dissociative symptoms. Its psychometric properties for ketamine-induced dissociation have not been reported. We evaluated these from a study using 0.25-1 mg/kg ketamine and midazolam (as an active control) in 18 patients with treatment-resistant anxiety. Dissociation ratings were increased by ketamine in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, midazolam showed no effect on ratings of dissociation. For individual CADSS items, the magnitude of change and the ketamine dose at which changes were observed were not homogenous. The Cronbach alpha for the total scale was high (0.937), with acceptable item-rest correlations for almost all individual items. Purposefully removing items to maximise alpha did not lead to meaningful improvements. Acceptable internal consistency was still observed after removing items which lacked evidence of responsiveness at lower doses. The high Cronbach alpha values identified in this study suggests that the CADSS is an internally consistent instrument for evaluating ketamine-induced dissociation in clinical trials in anxiety, although it does not capture symptoms such as thought disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Castle
- 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Gray
- 2 Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shona Neehoff
- 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paul Glue
- 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Glue P, Loo C, Rodgers A, Gálvez V, Somogyi AA, Mitchell PB. Comments on Cooper et al.'s review on strategies to mitigate dissociative and psychotomimetic effects from ketamine when used as a fast-acting antidepressant. World J Biol Psychiatry 2017; 18:489. [PMID: 27232768 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2016.1181782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Glue
- a Dunedin School of Medicine , Otago , New Zealand
| | - Colleen Loo
- b School of Psychiatry , University of New South Wales & Black Dog Institute , Sydney , Australia
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- c The George Institute for Global Health, the University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia
| | - Verònica Gálvez
- b School of Psychiatry , University of New South Wales & Black Dog Institute , Sydney , Australia
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- d School of Medicine , University of Adelaide , Adelaide , Australia
| | - Philip B Mitchell
- b School of Psychiatry , University of New South Wales & Black Dog Institute , Sydney , Australia
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Gálvez V, McGuirk L, Loo CK. The use of ketamine in ECT anaesthesia: A systematic review and critical commentary on efficacy, cognitive, safety and seizure outcomes. World J Biol Psychiatry 2017; 18:424-444. [PMID: 27892759 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2016.1252464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review will discuss ECT efficacy and cognitive outcomes when using ketamine as an ECT anaesthetic compared to other anaesthetics, taking into account important moderator variables that have often not been considered to date. It will also include information on safety and other ECT outcomes (seizure threshold and quality). METHODS A systematic search through MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, Cochrane Databases and reference lists from retrieved articles was performed. Search terms were: "ketamine" and "Electroconvulsive Therapy", from 1995 to September 2016. Meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, open-label and retrospective studies published in English of depressed samples receiving ECT with ketamine anaesthesia were included (n = 24). RESULTS Studies were heterogeneous in the clinical populations included and ECT treatment and anaesthetic methods. Frequently, studies did not report on ECT factors (i.e., pulse-width, treatment schedule). Findings regarding efficacy were mixed. Tolerance from repeated use may explain why several studies found that ketamine enhanced efficacy early in the ECT course but not at the end. The majority of studies did not comprehensively examine cognition and adverse effects were not systematically studied. Only a minority of the studies reported on seizure threshold and expression. CONCLUSIONS The routine use of ketamine anaesthesia for ECT in clinical settings cannot yet be recommended based on published data. Larger randomised controlled trials, taking into account moderator variables, specifically reporting on ECT parameters and systematically assessing outcomes are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verònica Gálvez
- a School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Black Dog Institute , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Lucy McGuirk
- a School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Black Dog Institute , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Colleen K Loo
- a School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Black Dog Institute , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,c St. George Hospital , Sydney , Australia.,d Wesley Hospital , Sydney , Australia
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Cooper MD, Rosenblat JD, Cha DS, Lee Y, Kakar R, McIntyre RS. Strategies to mitigate dissociative and psychotomimetic effects of ketamine in the treatment of major depressive episodes: a narrative review. World J Biol Psychiatry 2017; 18:410-423. [PMID: 26752601 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2016.1139747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Replicated evidence has demonstrated that ketamine exerts rapid-acting and potent antidepressant effects. Notwithstanding, its promise to mitigate depressive symptoms and suicidality in antidepressant-resistant populations, several limitations and safety concerns accompany ketamine including, but not limited to, the potential for abuse and psychotomimetic/dissociative experiences. The focus of the current narrative review is to synthesise available evidence of strategies that may mitigate and fully prevent treatment-emergent psychotomimetic and dissociative effects associated with ketamine administration. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant articles. Results Potential avenues investigated to minimise psychotomimetic effects associated with ketamine administration include the following: (1) altering dosing and infusion rates; (2) route of administration; (3) enantiomer choice; (4) co-administration with mood stabilisers of antipsychotics; and (5) use of alternative N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-modulating agents. Emerging evidence indicates that dissociative experiences can be significantly mitigated by using an intranasal route of administration, lower dosages, or use of alternative NMDA-modulating agents, namely lanicemine (AZD6765) and GLYX-13. Conclusions Currently, intranasal administration presents as the most promising strategy to mitigate dissociative and psychotomimetic effects; however, studies of strategies to mitigate the adverse events of ketamine are limited in number and quality and thus further investigation is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Cooper
- a Medical Sciences, Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS , Canada.,b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada.,c Department of Psychiatry , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Danielle S Cha
- b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada.,d Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Yena Lee
- b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Ron Kakar
- b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada.,e Department of Psychiatry , Western University , London and Windsor , ON , Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- b Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network , Toronto , ON , Canada.,c Department of Psychiatry , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.,f Department of Pharmacology , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada
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Effect of Low Dose of Ketamine on Learning Memory Function in Patients Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Study. J ECT 2017; 33:89-95. [PMID: 27828927 DOI: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Converging evidence suggests that low doses of ketamine have antidepressant effects. The feasibility and safety of administering low doses of ketamine as adjunctive medication during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to enhance ECT efficacy and mitigate cognitive impairment has attracted much attention. This study investigated the effects of low doses of ketamine on learning and memory in patients undergoing ECT under propofol anesthesia. METHODS This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study recruited patients with moderate to severe depressive disorders who failed to respond to antidepressants and were scheduled to receive ECT. Participants were randomly assigned to a study group, which received an intravenous administration of 0.3 mg/kg ketamine and then underwent ECT under propofol anesthesia, and a control group, which received isovolumetric placebo (normal saline) and then underwent ECT under propofol anesthesia. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of depression after ECT. Before and after the ECT course, the Mini-mental State Examination and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese-Revision were used to assess global cognitive and learning and memory functions, respectively. Psychotropic effects were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Vital signs and other adverse events were recorded for each ECT procedure. RESULTS Of 132 patients recruited, 66 were assigned to each group; 63 patients in study groups and 64 patients in the control group completed the ECT course during the study. Afterward, the incidence of global cognitive impairment in the control group was higher than it was in the study group. In addition, the decline in the Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese-Revision scale was greater in the control group than in the study group. The necessary ECT treatment times were shorter in the study group than in the control group (8 [7, 9] vs 9 [8, 10]). No significant escalations of the positive Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores or adverse events were observed in the study group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS As adjunctive medication, ketamine can attenuate learning and memory impairment, especially for short-term memory, caused by ECT performed under propofol anesthesia. Ketamine can also reduce ECT treatment times during the therapy course without inducing significant adverse effects.
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Lener MS, Kadriu B, Zarate CA. Ketamine and Beyond: Investigations into the Potential of Glutamatergic Agents to Treat Depression. Drugs 2017; 77:381-401. [PMID: 28194724 PMCID: PMC5342919 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-017-0702-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that dysfunction of the glutamatergic system is implicated in mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. In clinical studies of individuals with major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, rapid reductions in depressive symptoms have been observed in response to subanesthetic-dose ketamine, an agent whose mechanism of action involves the modulation of glutamatergic signaling. The findings from these studies have prompted the repurposing and/or development of other glutamatergic modulators for antidepressant efficacy, both as monotherapy or as an adjunct to conventional monoaminergic antidepressants. This review highlights the evidence supporting the antidepressant effects of subanesthetic-dose ketamine as well as other glutamatergic modulators, such as D-cycloserine, riluzole, CP-101,606, CERC-301 (previously known as MK-0657), basimglurant, JNJ-40411813, dextromethorphan, nitrous oxide, GLYX-13, and esketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc S Lener
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10/CRC, Room 7-5545, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Bashkim Kadriu
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10/CRC, Room 7-5545, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10/CRC, Room 7-5545, Bethesda, MD, USA
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