An open-label, single-arm study at four Chinese hospitals investigating repeated subanesthetic ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg IV over 40 min, 6 sessions thrice weekly for 2 weeks) in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Registered prospectively in 2017 and funded by China’s National Key R&D Programme for Precision Medicine.
Six IV infusions of subanesthetic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min) administered thrice weekly for two weeks. No control or placebo arm.
Each infusion delivered over 40 minutes. Assessments at baseline and day 13 (after sixth infusion).
This open-label study (n=97) on patients with unipolar and bipolar depression examined the effects of six repeated ketamine infusions. Significant and sustained improvements in depression and suicidal ideation were observed, with response and remission rates at 68.0% and 50.5%, respectively. The treatment was effective and safe, demonstrating rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal effects. Positive response factors included early response, higher income, and no prior psychiatric hospitalization.