Researchers at the University of Otago are recruiting for a Ketamine psychotherapy trial for those with treatment-resistant depression.
The hope is that people with treatment-resistant depression can stay well for longer.
Study investigator Ben Beaglehole said they are seeking 60 patient recruits from Christchurch and Dunedin for whom regular anti-depressant medication has repeatedly failed.
Half the participants will receive an eight-week course of ketamine alone; the other group will receive ketamine in conjunction with Behavioural Activation Therapy (BAT).
He said while injectable Ketamine has a lot of promise as an anti-depressant, the drug’s positive effects are only short-term.
“Ketamine is probably the most exciting new treatment for a generation, but its positive effects fade away within days or weeks of treatment ending, making it ineffective for routine care for treatment-resistant patients.
“Many studies on ketamine as a treatment for depression have also focused on injections, which can lead to a strong dissociative reaction or a 'trip'.
“However, in our study, participants will be given ketamine as a liquid to swallow, which will work more slowly, be easier to tolerate and lessen the ‘trip’ effect.”
The trial will be given in a "tightly controlled setting to minimise concerns about its abuse potential, alongside concerns it can lead to bladder issues and possible memory side effects", he said.
He says the addition of BAT is pivotal and an important part of the trial.
“BAT is aimed at activating people with depression, targeting the inactivity which is often part and parcel of the disease, as a means of getting them moving both emotionally and physically to encourage a lift in mood.
“We chose BAT because it’s an easily accessible and affordable solution for people to embed into their daily lives."
All those taking part will receive ketamine twice a week for eight weeks, with half also getting BAT.
Both groups will be monitored for a further 12 weeks after treatment finishes to see if BAT helps to maintain improvements to mood once ketamine treatment ends
Beaglehole warned that once the trial ended ketamine could no longer be provided.
"People will need to be prepared that if they have a positive response, their mood may deteriorate once the ketamine treatment stops."
Beaglehole hoped the use of BAT will lead to people with treatment-resistant depression feeling emotionally stronger.
"If this trial is effective and can be proven to help delay relapse, it will give genuine hope to people with treatment-resistant depression, and support clinicians more widely in their community use of the drug."
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