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Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), offering rapid relief when traditional therapies fail. Recent research has shown that while a single ketamine infusion can provide short-term benefits, repeated and maintenance infusions are more effective at sustaining improvements in mood and preventing relapse. This study explores the impact of single, repeated, and long-term ketamine therapy in managing TRD, highlighting its potential as a life-changing treatment option. Read more on some of the driving factors that led our Ketamine team at Nervana Medical to believe that group treatments were necessary to provide a cheaper alternative to help people maintain their mental health at a more affordable rate.

Ketamine vs. Antidepressants

The study Single, Repeated, and Maintenance Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Phillips et al., 2019) examined the effects of single, repeated, and maintenance ketamine infusions in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Here are the key findings:

1. Single vs. Repeated Infusions

  • A single ketamine infusion led to rapid antidepressant effects, but the benefits were short-lived (typically lasting about a week).
  • Repeated infusions (twice weekly for 4 weeks) led to greater and more sustained symptom relief than a single infusion.

2. Maintenance Infusions

  • Patients who responded well to repeated infusions were randomized to receive either continued maintenance infusions or placebo (saline).
  • Those receiving maintenance ketamine (every 2-3 weeks) had significantly lower relapse rates compared to those who discontinued treatment.

3. Safety & Tolerability

  • Ketamine was well-tolerated, with common side effects being transient dissociation and mild blood pressure increases.
  • There were no serious adverse effects or signs of addiction/misuse during the study.

Conclusion

  • Repeated ketamine infusions are more effective than a single dose for long-term relief from TRD.
  • Maintenance infusions (every 2-3 weeks) help sustain antidepressant benefits and prevent relapse.
  • The study supports ketamine as a viable long-term treatment for TRD when administered under medical supervision.

Single, Repeated, and Maintenance Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Jennifer L Phillips 1, Sandhaya Norris 1, Jeanne Talbot 1, Meagan Birmingham 1, Taylor Hatchard 1, Abigail Ortiz 1, Olabisi Owoeye 1, Lisa A Batten 1, Pierre Blier 1 PMID: 30922101 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18070834

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