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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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Ketamine treatment for depression: a review
Mani Yavi1, Holim Lee1, Ioline D Henter1
1Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health [NIMH-NIH], 10 Center Dr, Room 7-5545, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA.
Discover Mental Health
|May 5, 2022
Summary
Single-dose intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine offer rapid relief for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). These glutamatergic modulators show promise for various psychiatric conditions, though long-term effects require further study.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represent significant unmet clinical needs.
- Novel therapeutic targets and agents are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Glutamatergic modulation is an emerging area in psychiatric pharmacotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical evidence for single-dose intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal esketamine in treating MDD and TRD.
- To explore the efficacy, safety, and potential applications of ketamine and esketamine in other psychiatric disorders.
- To discuss current guidelines, adverse effects, and future research directions for ketamine-based therapies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical studies on IV ketamine and intranasal esketamine for depressive disorders.
- Analysis of data on rapid antidepressant effects, duration of action, and safety profiles.
- Examination of ketamine's use in other psychiatric conditions and potential for abuse.
Main Results:
- Single-dose IV ketamine demonstrates rapid (within one day) and short-term (3-7 days) improvement in depressive symptoms for MDD and bipolar depression.
- Intranasal esketamine is FDA-approved as an adjunctive treatment for TRD, requiring medical supervision.
- Both ketamine and esketamine offer rapid symptom relief for TRD, with generally tolerable acute side effects like dissociation and hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine and esketamine represent viable, rapid-acting treatment options for TRD and potentially other psychiatric disorders.
- Further research is needed to understand ketamine's long-term effects, abuse potential, and optimal dosing strategies.
- Ketamine research may advance the understanding of mood disorder mechanisms and lead to novel therapeutics.
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