This unregistered trial (n=90) was a three-arm, double-blind, active-controlled study of ketamine as an anaesthetic for treatment-resistant depression in inpatients, which found that higher doses improved remission rates and cognitive outcomes.
This synthetic trial has been added to our database because a psychedelic paper (about a clinical trial) references this trial, but no (live) registration can be found.
The study investigated the efficacy of different ketamine dosages as anaesthetics during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Ninety inpatients were randomised into three groups: a high-dose ketamine group (0.8 mg/kg), a combination group of subanesthetic ketamine and propofol (0.5 mg/kg each), and a propofol control group (0.8 mg/kg).
Researchers assessed mood improvements using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) and evaluated neuropsychological function through a cognitive battery. The results indicated that the anesthetic dose of ketamine led to earlier mood improvement, higher remission rates, and better preservation of executive cognitive function compared to the propofol and combination groups.
Ketamine (0.8 mg/kg) as anesthesia for each ECT session
Administered as anesthesia for the eight ECT treatments.
Ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) plus propofol (0.5 mg/kg) as anesthesia for each ECT session
Subanesthetic ketamine dose administered as part of anesthesia for the eight ECT treatments.
Propofol co-anesthetic comparator component.
Propofol (0.8 mg/kg) as anesthesia for each ECT session
Standard active anesthetic comparator for the eight ECT treatments.