This study will test the use of ketamine for treatment of depression in adolescents that have not responded to other treatments. We will also examine neurobiological mechanisms of treatment.
Open-label, single-group trial testing serial IV ketamine in adolescents (12–18 years) with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
Participants receive six subanesthetic IV infusions of ketamine 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes across 2 weeks; primary aims are clinical efficacy and durability through a 4-week observational period.
Secondary aims include investigation of neurobiological mechanisms using brain imaging and peripheral biomarkers to characterise response and non-response in adolescence.
IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes given 6 times over 2 weeks (single-group, open-label).
0.5 mg/kg IV infusion over 40 minutes; 6 infusions over 2 weeks.