Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Ketamine for Treatment of Suicidal Ideation and Reduction of Risk for Suicidal Behavior
Faryal Mallick1, Cheryl B McCullumsmith2
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract:
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist with efficacy as a rapid anti-depressant, has early evidence for action to reduce suicidal ideation. This review will explore several important questions that arise from these studies. First, how do we measure reductions in suicidal ideation that occur over minutes to hours? Second, are the reductions in suicidal ideation after ketamine treatment solely a result of its rapid anti-depressant effect? Third, is ketamine only effective in reducing suicidal ideation in patients with mood disorders? Fourth, could ketamine's action lead us to a greater understanding of the neurobiology of suicidal processes? Last, do the reductions in depression and suicidal ideation after ketamine treatment translate into decreased risk for suicidal behavior? Our review concludes that ketamine treatment can be seen as a double-edged sword, clinically to help provide treatment for acutely suicidal patients and experimentally to explore the neurobiological nature of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior.
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

