Optimization of IV Ketamine for Treatment Resistant Depression
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Existing treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) generally take weeks to months to
exert their maximal benefit. There is an urgent need to develop rapid-acting treatments for
MDD. Ketamine, a high-affinity N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, has
been used as a standard intravenous (IV) anesthetic agent for many years in both pediatric
and adult patients. Beyond its well-established role in anesthesia and pain management, there
is emerging evidence that ketamine may have rapid antidepressant properties for patients with
severe mood disorders.
In this study we are investigating whether ketamine can have an antidepressant effect
compared to midazolam. Midazolam has similar anesthetic effects compared to ketamine but has
not been shown to be an antidepressant, and is therefore acting as an active control in this
study.
The study period can last up to 8 weeks, depending on your response to the study medication.
There are two required overnight stays in our Research Commons as part of this study.