Ketamine as an Alternative Treatment to ECT in Major Depressive Disorder
Randomised, parallel-group non-inferiority trial (n=198) comparing racemic ketamine IV infusions (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes, thrice weekly) with ECT in inpatients with severe MDD.
Details
This randomised, parallel-group trial enrolled inpatients (18–85 years) with severe major depressive disorder who had been offered and accepted ECT to compare IV ketamine with standard ECT.
Experimental treatment consisted of racemic ketamine 0.5 mg/kg infused IV over 40 minutes, administered thrice weekly; the comparator arm received ECT per local standard procedures (anaesthesia and muscle relaxation included).
Primary outcome was remission (MADRS ≤10) after 4 weeks; secondary assessments included response/remission at 3, 6 and 12 months, cognitive testing (CANTAB), and biomarker analyses from blood samples.