Ketamine and Nitroprusside for Depression

This randomized, triple-blind, parallel Phase II trial tests whether sodium nitroprusside alters the antidepressant efficacy or reduces the psychotomimetic effects of ketamine in patients with major depression.

Nitroprusside is administered as a 0.5 µg/kg/min IV infusion over 240 minutes with ketamine 0.5 mg/kg IV given during the final 40 minutes; outcomes include MADRS for mood, CADSS for psychotomimetic effects, and serial blood biomarkers to explore mechanisms.