The primary objectives of this study are to investigate the potential for ketamine anaesthesia to increase the antidepressant efficacy of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and to decrease acute ECT-induced adverse cognitive effects.
This randomised, parallel-group pilot study compared ketamine versus methohexital anaesthesia in patients receiving ECT for major depressive episodes to assess antidepressant efficacy and acute cognitive side-effects.
Outcomes included depression rating scales, cognitive assessments, seizure duration/morphology, and haemodynamic and behavioural responses; ketamine dosing was 1–2 mg/kg IV and methohexital 1 mg/kg IV as indicated for ECT.
Participants receiving ECT randomised to ketamine anaesthesia.
Ketamine 1–2 mg/kg IV as indicated for ECT
Participants receiving ECT randomised to methohexital (standard anaesthetic).
Methohexital 1 mg/kg IV as indicated for ECT (active comparator)