Abstract
Introduction: Over the past decade, ketamine has been studied for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Ketamine is believed to exert its antidepressant properties through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism.
Methods: Study authors completed a literature review of seven randomized controlled trials of ketamine usage in major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.
Results: Ketamine demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over placebo or midazolam in major depressive disorder. Ketamine also exhibited a statistically significant improvement over placebo in bipolar depression.
Discussion: Ketamine has shown promise in quickly reducing symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression and bipolar depression. Using ketamine may be helpful for patients that have exhausted other therapeutic options.