RETRACTED ARTICLE: ArticleNoteRapid and sustained antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation: a randomized clinical trial

Summary & key facts

This randomized, placebo-controlled trial (64 adults with treatment‑resistant major depressive disorder) reported large, rapid decreases in depression and suicidal‑ideation scores after a single IV ketamine dose (0.5 mg/kg), with differences reported up to two months. The paper lists one‑hour scores as 35.16 ± 8.13 versus 14.90 ± 10.09 for depression and 6.74 ± 6.67 versus 0.42 ± 1.52 for suicidal ideation, and reports p < 0.001 for group differences at several time points. The paper also reports common side effects (increased heart rate, headache, dizziness, dissociation). Note: this article is labeled RETRACTED, so its results should be treated with caution and not taken as confirmed evide

Key facts:

• The trial randomly assigned 64 adults with treatment‑resistant major depressive disorder to receive either a single IV dose of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or saline placebo.
• At one hour after treatment the paper reports depression scores of 35.16 ± 8.13 versus 14.90 ± 10.09, and suicidal ideation scores of 6.74 ± 6.67 versus 0.42 ± 1.52.
• The authors report statistically significant differences in depression scores between groups at 1 hour, 4 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after infusion (p < 0.001).
• Common side effects reported for ketamine recipients included increased heart rate, headache, dizziness, and symptoms of dissociation.
• Participants were aged 25–60, met DSM‑5 criteria for major depressive disorder, had failed at least two antidepressant trials, and had baseline Montgomery‑Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores above 25.
• The paper is marked RETRACTED, which means the study’s findings and conclusions should not be considered reliable without further confirmation.

Abstract

IRCT registration number: IRCT20210806052096N1; IRCT URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/62243 ; Ethical code: IR.ZUMS.REC.1400.150; Registration date: 2022-04-09.

Topics

Mental Health Research Topics Treatment of Major Depression Tryptophan and brain disorders

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Anesthesia Antidepressant Anxiety Beck Depression Inventory Cognition Depression (economics) Economics Environmental health Injury prevention Internal medicine Ketamine Macroeconomics Major depressive disorder Medicine Poison control Psychiatry Psychology Randomized controlled trial Suicidal ideation

Substances

Ketamine

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Sadness or low mood