Effects of Intravenous Ketamine on Explicit and Implicit Measures of Suicidality in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Summary & key facts
Researchers gave a single, low-dose intravenous ketamine infusion to people whose major depression had not gotten better with other treatments. They measured both what people said about suicidal thoughts and automatic, unconscious links to suicide. Within hours and by one day after the infusion, many people showed big drops in both the conscious and the automatic signs of suicidal thinking. The study suggests ketamine can act fast, but it was small and not a controlled trial, so more research is needed to know how reliable or long-lasting the effect is.
Key facts:
- People with treatment-resistant major depression received one low-dose intravenous ketamine infusion of about 0.5 milligrams per kilogram given over around 40 minutes.
- The study measured explicit suicidal thoughts using self-report scales and implicit suicidal thinking using a computer-based test that picks up automatic associations.
- Many participants had rapid reductions in self-reported suicidal thoughts within hours and by one day after the infusion.
- Implicit measures of suicidal thinking also showed decreases after ketamine, suggesting unconscious signs of suicidality fell as well as what people reported.
- The reductions in suicidal thinking were larger than what could be explained by general mood improvement alone, indicating a possibly distinct effect on suicidality.
- The study was small and not placebo-controlled, and it followed people only for a short time, so the findings are preliminary and need confirmation in larger, controlled studies.
Topics
Mental Health Research Topics Treatment of Major Depression Tryptophan and brain disordersCategories
Health Sciences Medicine PharmacologyTags
Anesthesia Cognition Depression (economics) Economics Ketamine Macroeconomics Major depressive disorder Medicine Psychiatry Psychology Treatment-resistant depressionSubstances
KetamineConditions & symptoms
Depression Sadness or low moodSummaries and links are for general information and education only. They are not a substitute for reading the original publication or for professional medical, legal, or other advice. Always refer to the linked source for the full study.
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Expert-Reviewed by:
Dr. Christopher Gauci
