Efficacy of Intravenous Racemic Ketamine on Global Severity and Individual Symptoms of Depression
Rachel Landrum, Amanda M. Raines, Philip D. Harvey, Michael Banov, Kevin G. Saulnier, Michelle B. Moore
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology September 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000002060 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMaintenance intravenous racemic ketamine therapy produced significant, persistent, and broad symptom relief for treatment-resistant depression. Reductions occurred in both clinician-rated (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) and patient-reported (Patient-Health Questionnaire-9) depression scores. Changes in individual symptoms were similar to prior trials: suicidal ideation and depressed mood improved most, while appetite disturbance improved least.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant depression |
| Intervention | Maintenance intravenous racemic ketamine therapy |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Depression economics Suicidal ideation Rating scale Appetite |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Maintenance intravenous racemic ketamine therapy produced significant, persistent, and broad efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, with suicidal ideation and depressed mood showing the largest improvements and appetite disturbance the least. |
Abstract
Maintenance intravenous racemic ketamine therapy demonstrated significant, persistent, and broad efficacy for treatment-resistant depression as demonstrated by reductions in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 total scores and equivocal changes in every item on both rating scales. The magnitude of change in individual items was similar to that of previous randomized trials, with suicidal ideation and depression demonstrating the largest response and appetite disturbance the least.