Ketamine as a Rapid Treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This randomised, quadruple-blind crossover study tested whether a single intravenous infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) reduces core PTSD symptoms compared with active comparator midazolam (0.045 mg/kg IV).

Forty-one participants with DSM-IV PTSD (CAPS score ≥50) received two single-dose infusions in a crossover design with clinical and cognitive assessments; memory impairment during infusion was examined as a predictor of clinical response.

Safety monitoring emphasised acute cardiovascular effects and transient intoxication; previous work indicates limited adverse effects other than transient dissociation and increases in blood pressure.