Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients

Background: A growing body of preclinical research suggests that brain glut amate systems may be involved in the pathophysiology, of major depression a nd the mechanism of action of antidepressants, This is the first placebo-co ntrolled double-blinded trial to assess the treatment effects of a single d ose of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist in patients with depression, Methods: Seven subjects with major depression completed 2 rest days that in volved intravenous treatment with ketamine hydrochloride (.5 mg/kg) or sali ne solutions under randomized, double-blind conditions. Results: Subjects with depression evidenced significant improvement in depr essive symptoms within 72 hours after ketamine but not placebo infusion (i. e,, mean 25-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores decreased by 14 +/ - SD 10 points vs. 0 +/- 12 points, respectively during active and sham tre atment). Conclusions: These results suggest a potential role for NMDA receptor-modul ating drugs in the treatment of depression. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:351-354 (C) 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry.