Subanesthetic IV Bolus Ketamine in the Treatment of Acute Depression
The objective of this double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study is to determine whether a single sub-anesthetic rapid IV bolus dose of ketamine administered to acutely depressed patients with or without suicidality has a significant rapid antidepressant effect in the acutely depressed population.
Details
Randomised, placebo-controlled ED study comparing a single rapid IV bolus of ketamine (0.2 mg/kg over 1–2 minutes) with saline in acutely depressed admitted patients; acute outcomes measured at 40, 80, 120 and 240 minutes.
Primary outcomes are change in depressive and suicidal ideation scales (BSS, BHS) acutely; secondary outcome is sustained reduction in BDI at 2 weeks. Participants are medically monitored for at least 240 minutes then admitted to psychiatric ward for ≥24 hours and reassessed prior to discharge and at two weeks.