Phase I, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study (n=60; 25 MDD patients, 35 healthy controls) assessing IV subanaesthetic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) vs saline during MRI to investigate effects on aesthetic processing and role in antidepressant/anhedonia mechanisms.
This single-centre, randomised crossover study will assess 25 patients with major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls twice with MRI — once after IV ketamine (subanaesthetic dose) and once after saline placebo — to evaluate changes in aesthetic perception and reward processing.
Imaging includes structural, resting-state and task-based fMRI (aesthetic processing, reward, sexual arousal). Clinical scales for depression, anhedonia and aesthetic processing will be collected; eligibility is assessed at screening and a follow-up visit completes participation.
Single-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover comparing IV subanaesthetic ketamine to saline during MRI sessions.
Planned dose 0.5 mg/kg; pilot may use 0.25 mg/kg.
0.9% NaCl saline placebo.