Treatment-resistant major depression: Systematic review of comparative efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy and ketamine
Physiology International January 30, 2025 Giullia Graeff Saldanha, Leonardo Locatelli, Izidione Antônio Miozzo Junior
A systematic review of seven randomized clinical trials found that both ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are safe and effective for major depressive disorder, but ECT produces higher remission rates. Ketamine offers a rapid onset of effect. Both treatments carry long-term side effects that need more study. The review concludes that personalizing treatment based on patient characteristics could improve outcomes, but more long-term trials comparing ketamine and ECT are needed.