This randomised controlled trial (n=70) investigated the effects of ketamine on mentalizing and metacognition in healthy volunteers.
Randomised, triple-blind, parallel-group study in healthy volunteers comparing intravenous ketamine infusion (target plasma 100 ng/ml with initial bolus) to saline placebo during performance of a video-based mentalizing (MASC) task in the fMRI scanner.
Aim is to experimentally induce social-cognitive alterations resembling over- or undermentalizing to study neural correlates of theory-of-mind and metacognition using fMRI and behavioural task measures.
Outcomes include task performance on the MASC paradigm, fMRI measures, and safety/tolerability assessments in a healthy adult sample.
IV infusion targeting plasma level 100 ng/ml with an initial bolus (2 mg/ml solution).
IV infusion via Graseby 3500 pump and STANPUMP to target plasma 100 ng/ml; initial bolus as 2 mg/ml solution.
Saline (NaCl 0.9%) IV infusion using same pump setup.
NaCl 0.9% saline IV via Graseby 3500 pump and STANPUMP (placebo comparator).