Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression: New Findings

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that ketamine is at least as effective as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for most cases of treatment resistant depression (TRD). TRD is generally defined as depression that has not responded adequately to a trial of at least two antidepressant medications. It’s estimated that TRD may occur in as many of 1/3 of people diagnosed with depression.

In the study, approximately half of patients were given ketamine, and the other half ECT. Ketamine was delivered intravenously twice weekly over 3 weeks (this is akin to how we usually deliver ketamine therapy for TRD at Innate). ECT was given three times a week for 3 weeks. By the end, 55% of the ketamine group and 41% of the ECT group reported a 50% or greater reduction in depressive symptoms. Quality-of-life scores six months later were comparable for both groups.

The research, headed by Dr. Amit Anand, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, presents robust evidence supporting ketamine's effectiveness in treating hard-to-treat depression. This research was based on the largest head-to-head comparison of the two treatments to date, and it is truly groundbreaking.

Ketamine resulted in fewer patients dropping out, easier administration, and fewer adjustments required during the course of treatment.

Most significantly, while ECT has been associated with side effects such as temporary memory loss, muscle pain or weakness, and, in rare instances, permanent memory gaps, ketamine did not show the same issues. Ketamine's side effects, such as dissociation, are typically not perceived as unpleasant by patients.

However, it's worth noting that the study was not without limitations. The number of ECT treatments may not have been sufficient, given the treatment period's length.

As we continue to grapple with the pervasive issue of depression and its resistance to traditional treatments, this new research on ketamine's potential role is a shining beacon. It’s these kinds of studies that provide hope for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression, and we at Innate Ketamine Therapy remain committed to providing the best care for our clients by staying at the forefront of such research.