Ketamine for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression: A review of the literature
Grady, S. E., Klein, K., Marsh, T. A., Tenhouse, A.
This literature review (2017) of randomised, placebo-controlled trials explores the effects of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and bipolar depression (BD). Ketamine reduced symptoms in both and is a promising compound for those who have found other treatments lacking.
Abstract
Introduction: Over the past decade, ketamine has been studied for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Ketamine is believed to exert its antidepressant properties through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism.Methods: Study authors completed a literature review of seven randomized controlled trials of ketamine usage in major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.Results: Ketamine demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over placebo or midazolam in major depressive disorder. Ketamine also exhibited a statistically significant improvement over placebo in bipolar depression.Discussion: Ketamine has shown promise in quickly reducing symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression and bipolar depression. Using ketamine may be helpful for patients that have exhausted other therapeutic options.