Sustained antidepressant response to ketamine

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Aug 19:2013:bcr2013200370. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200370.

Abstract

Case series outlining the treatment of three patients with ketamine, in which two of the patients had a sustained antidepressant effect to ketamine without the need for maintenance on antidepressants. These two responders have an established diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder with a history of response to electroconvulsive therapy and lithium, both of which have an influence on the seizure threshold as has ketamine. The mechanism of action of ketamine is yet unclear and although the current focus is on the N-methyl-d-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-4-hydroxy-5methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid receptors, we additionally recommend that its impact on the seizure threshold should be explored with a view to fully elucidating the mechanism of action.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ketamine / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Ketamine