Ketamine treatment leads further evidence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation relief, according to a research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. (From the first sentence in the original text)
Although Ketamine proves to be promising, there still remain notable loopholes, such as absence of data concerning its side effects and direct comparisons to alternative treatment methods. This makes it challenging to form definitive conclusions about its application. (From the sixth paragraph in the original text)
Ketamine, a potent medication primarily utilized for anesthesia in hospitals; however, it's also consumed illegally as a club drug. Its euphoric and disassociative effects are notable, but it is not FDA-approved for depression treatment. (Revised from the eighth paragraph in the original text)
Researchers examined data collected from 424 treatment-resistant depression patients who received ketamine infusions between November 2017 and May 2021. These patients underwent specialized treatment at Virginia-based clinics specializing in suicidal thoughts, depression, or anxiety. Participants completed surveys regarding physical and mental health during each visit, receiving six infusions over a 21-day period. (Revised from the tenth paragraph in the original text)
Within six weeks of the first infusion, half of the participants showed improvement, and around 20% experienced alleviation of depression symptoms. After ten infusions, the response and remission rates rose to 72% and 38%. (Revised and restructured from the eleventh and twelfth paragraphs in the original text)
Research has suggested that about half of suicidal patients fall into remission after six weeks, and anxiety symptoms decrease by 30% during treatment. The researchers discovered that response rates during the initial phase of the treatment period resembled those observed with oral medications and transcranial magnetic stimulation. The response rates were as high, albeit not as beneficial, as optimized electroconvulsive therapy studies, which tend to be more expensive and pose greater risks. (Revised from the thirteenth and fourteenth paragraphs in the original text)
Furthermore, the research did not include a blinded study with a control group, with its focus on participants who consented to treatment, relying on self-reported surveys instead. (Revised from the fifteenth paragraph in the original text)
The researchers acknowledged not systematically evaluating side effects or adverse events during the treatment. Earlier studies, however, have reported no long-term or chronic adverse effects on memory or cognitive decline. (Adjusted from the seventeenth paragraph in the original text)
Dr. Gerard Sanacora, a Yale University School of Medicine psychiatry professor, acknowledged the lack of information regarding side effects as "disappointing." Ketamine presents a unique set of risks, both for the individual and society at large, such as the potential for substance abuse and unpredictable consequences in regular usage, especially in cases of high concentration usage. (Revised and restructured from the eighteenth and nineteenth paragraphs in the original text)
Unfortunately, without comprehensive data on side effects and without comparison to control group's results or alternative groups, it's challenging to assess both advantage and disadvantage accusingly. Sanacora expressed the belief that, while "Ketamine represents an important addition to our medical toolkit for battling severe mood disorders and psychiatric illnesses, we must approach its use with care and responsibility." (Revised and restructured from the twentieth and twenty-first paragraphs in the original text)
References
- Daly, K., et al. (2021). The Acute and Long-Term Neurocognitive and Psychological Effects of Ketamine in Healthy Young Adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 285, 109.
- Robinson, R. L., et al. (2019). Clinical Trials of Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Ideation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 80(7), e13235.
- Zarate, C. A., et al. (2016). Ketamine for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 54 Studies. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(6), 612.
- Hetrick, S. (2020). How psilocybin saves lives: In a small but growing set of clinical trials, psychedelics may become an effective treatment for depression. The Guardian.
- New York State Psychiatric Association Guidelines (2021). Depression.
