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Updated: Aug 24, 2025
09:07
Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
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(Es)Ketamine for Suicidal Ideation and Behavior: Clinical Efficacy.
Alexandra A Alario1, Mark J Niciu1
1Department of Psychiatry and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|October 24, 2022
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine show rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects in major mood disorders. Intranasal esketamine is approved for treating major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Suicidal ideation and behavior are severe psychiatric emergencies with rising rates, particularly in younger populations.
- Major depressive disorder and bipolar depression often feature suicidal symptoms, yet rapid treatments are limited.
- The COVID-19 pandemic may worsen psychosocial stressors, increasing suicide risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on the antisuicidal efficacy of ketamine and its S-enantiomer, esketamine.
- To highlight the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists and glutamate modulators in treating suicidal ideation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating ketamine and esketamine for suicidal ideation and behavior.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and published research on antidepressant and antisuicidal effects.
Main Results:
- Ketamine and esketamine demonstrate robust antidepressant efficacy in treatment-resistant depression.
- Both agents have shown rapid-acting antisuicidal effects in patients with major mood disorders.
- Intranasal esketamine (Spravato®) received FDA approval in 2020 for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation and behavior.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine and esketamine represent promising rapid-acting treatments for suicidal ideation and behavior in mood disorders.
- Further research supports the clinical use of these agents for life-threatening suicidal symptoms.
- The approval of intranasal esketamine marks a significant advancement in managing acute suicidality.
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