Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine in Adolescent Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Midazolam-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. appi.ajp.2020.2
Author(s):  
Jennifer B. Dwyer ◽  
Angeli Landeros-Weisenberger ◽  
Jessica A. Johnson ◽  
Amalia Londono Tobon ◽  
José M. Flores ◽  
...  
2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Palhano-Fontes ◽  
Dayanna Barreto ◽  
Heloisa Onias ◽  
Katia C. Andrade ◽  
Morgana M. Novaes ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundRecent open-label trials show that psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, hold promise as fast-onset antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression.MethodsTo test the antidepressant effects of ayahuasca, we conducted a parallel-arm, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 29 patients with treatment-resistant depression. Patients received a single dose of either ayahuasca or placebo. We assessed changes in depression severity with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating scale at baseline, and at 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 7 (D7) days after dosing.ResultsWe observed significant antidepressant effects of ayahuasca when compared with placebo at all-time points. MADRS scores were significantly lower in the ayahuasca group compared with placebo at D1 and D2 (p= 0.04), and at D7 (p< 0.0001). Between-group effect sizes increased from D1 to D7 (D1: Cohen'sd= 0.84; D2: Cohen'sd= 0.84; D7: Cohen'sd= 1.49). Response rates were high for both groups at D1 and D2, and significantly higher in the ayahuasca group at D7 (64%v.27%;p= 0.04). Remission rate showed a trend toward significance at D7 (36%v.7%,p= 0.054).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first controlled trial to test a psychedelic substance in treatment-resistant depression. Overall, this study brings new evidence supporting the safety and therapeutic value of ayahuasca, dosed within an appropriate setting, to help treat depression. This study is registered athttp://clinicaltrials.gov(NCT02914769).


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Cullen ◽  
Palistha Amatya ◽  
Mark G. Roback ◽  
Christina Sophia Albott ◽  
Melinda Westlund Schreiner ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Y. Smith-Apeldoorn ◽  
Jolien K. E. Veraart ◽  
Jeanine Kamphuis ◽  
Antoinette D. I. van Asselt ◽  
Daan J. Touw ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is an urgent need to develop additional treatment strategies for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The rapid but short-lived antidepressant effects of intravenous (IV) ketamine as a racemic mixture have been shown repeatedly in this population, but there is still a paucity of data on the efficacy and safety of (a) different routes of administration, and (b) ketamine’s enantiomers esketamine and arketamine. Given practical advantages of oral over IV administration and pharmacodynamic arguments for better antidepressant efficacy of esketamine over arketamine, we designed a study to investigate repeated administration of oral esketamine in patients with TRD. Methods This study features a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT) comparing daily oral esketamine versus placebo as add-on to regular antidepressant medications for a period of 6 weeks, succeeded by a follow-up of 4 weeks. The methods support examination of the efficacy, safety, tolerability, mechanisms of action, and economic impact of oral esketamine in patients with TRD. Discussion This is the first RCT investigating repeated oral esketamine administration in patients with TRD. If shown to be effective and tolerated, oral esketamine administration poses important advantages over IV administration. Trial registration Dutch Trial Register, NTR6161. Registered 21 October 2016.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document