KETAMINE treatment for bipolar depression may offer new hope, as new research has revealed its potential as a treatment option in real-world settings to significantly reduce symptoms in patients resistant to traditional therapies.
The study, conducted at Yale Psychiatric Hospital between 2014 and 2023, included 45 patients and offered insights into the use of ketamine, antidepressants, in patients with treatment-refractory bipolar depression. Patients received either intravenous ketamine or intranasal esketamine over a period of 4 weeks. Depression severity was measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results showed that 39% of patients who completed an acute treatment phase saw significant improvements in their depression, and 13% reached full remission. MADRS showed a 38.3% overall improvement from baseline scores.
No patients experienced mania or hypomania during the acute series phase, where treatments were administered twice per week. While no such episodes were observed during the acute treatment phase, 28.9% of patients experienced these symptoms during the maintenance phase and one event required hospitalization.
This real-world study underscored the need for further research to better understand the long-term safety and efficacy of ketamine and esketamine in bipolar depression treatment, particularly during the maintenance phase.
Reference: Santucci MC et al. Efficacy and safety of ketamine/esketamine in bipolar depression in a clinical setting. J Clin Psychiatry 2024;85(4):24m15376.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
