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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Maintenance Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|June 19, 2018
Summary
Ongoing maintenance ketamine infusions may sustain antidepressant effects for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This approach showed promise in a case series, with most patients experiencing sustained symptom reduction and good tolerability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ketamine offers rapid antidepressant effects for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but these benefits are often short-lived.
- The long-term efficacy of ketamine for TRD remains a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility and tolerability of ongoing maintenance ketamine infusions in patients with TRD.
- To assess the sustained antidepressant response in TRD patients receiving ketamine beyond an initial treatment course.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case series involving 11 patients with TRD who underwent maintenance ketamine infusions.
- Data on treatment response (Beck Depression Inventory II scores) and side effects were collected via chart review.
Main Results:
- All 11 patients demonstrated reduced depression scores after acute treatment, with lower median scores during maintenance compared to baseline.
- At study's end, 5 patients continued maintenance ketamine (infusion or intranasal); 4 discontinued due to loss of effect, 1 due to side effects.
- Maintenance ketamine was generally well-tolerated, with no major adverse events reported.
Conclusions:
- Maintenance ketamine infusions appear to be a viable strategy for sustaining antidepressant response in select TRD patients.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment durations and monitor long-term safety profiles of maintenance ketamine therapy.
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