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Calder CN, Kwan ATH, Teopiz KM, Wong S, Rosenblat JD, Mansur RB, Rhee TG, Ho R, Cao B, McIntyre RS. Number needed to treat (NNT) for ketamine and esketamine in adults with treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 356:753-762. [PMID: 38636712 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine has been established as efficacious in adults living with Treatment-resistant Depression (TRD). Toward providing a quantifiable estimate of the clinical meaningfulness of the therapeutic benefit of ketamine, herein, we conduct a systematic review that aims to report the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) and the Number Needed to Harm (NNH). METHODS This systematic review searched Embase, Medline/Pubmed, PsycINFO and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception up to October 15th 2023, for placebo-controlled, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) assessing racemic ketamine or esketamine therapy for unipolar TRD. We calculated NNT and NNH for ketamine treatments over various time points. RESULTS A total of 21 studies with 2042 participants were included. Racemic ketamine treatments had pooled NNTs for response of 7 at 4 h, 3 from one day to one week and 9 for studies at four weeks. Esketamine treatment was found to have a similar efficacy with an NNT of 2 at one day and 11 at four weeks. NNH values indicated low risk for ketamine treatments. LIMITATIONS Limitations in the data used include the possibility of functional unblinding and selective reporting bias. Moreover, the meta-analysis may have been limited in its precision by including low threshold definitions of treatment resistance (≥ 1 failed antidepressant) and low-dose ketamine treatments. CONCLUSION Herein, we determined that the NNT for ketamine treatment in adults living with TRD across different intervals of observation was <10. We conclude that the NNTs observed herein are highly clinically meaningful in this difficult to treat disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela T H Kwan
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Kayla M Teopiz
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Sabrina Wong
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Rodrigo B Mansur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Taeho Greg Rhee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Bing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Carroll A, Bayes A, Montebello M, Brett J, Arunogiri S, Saunders JB, Loo CK. Drug dependence and prescribing ketamine for treatment-resistant depression in Australia and New Zealand. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024:48674241242315. [PMID: 38561896 DOI: 10.1177/00048674241242315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Ketamine is a restricted and regulated medication in Australia and New Zealand, which has implications when considering treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression and a history of illicit drug use, abuse or dependence. Regulations governing prescription of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression vary between jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, though most restrict use in those with drug dependence. There is substantial variation in definitions of drug dependence used in each jurisdiction, and between the legal and clinical definitions, with the latter specified in the current International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. This paper reviews the literature assessing the risk of ketamine misuse and dependence in patients with a history of illicit drug use, abuse or dependence and presents recommendations for psychiatrists who prescribe ketamine in such patients with treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Carroll
- Neuromodulation and Interventional Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Psychiatry & Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Bayes
- Neuromodulation and Interventional Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Psychiatry & Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Montebello
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Specialty of Addiction Medicine, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan Brett
- Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology and Addiction Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Medicines and Health Intelligence, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shalini Arunogiri
- Statewide Addiction and Mental Health Centre, Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John B Saunders
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Colleen K Loo
- Neuromodulation and Interventional Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Psychiatry & Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Cardiovascular program. The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Smith-Apeldoorn SY, Veraart JKE, Kamphuis J, Spijker J, van der Meij A, van Asselt ADI, Aan Het Rot M, Schoevers RA. Oral esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with open-label extension. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02478-9. [PMID: 38523183 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
About one-third of patients with depression do not achieve adequate response to current treatment options. Although intravenous and intranasal administrations of (es)ketamine have shown antidepressant properties, their accessibility and scalability are limited. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of generic oral esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in a randomized placebo-controlled trial with open-label extension. This study consisted of 1) a six-week fixed low-dose treatment phase during which 111 participants received oral esketamine 30 mg or placebo three times a day; 2) a four-week wash-out phase; and 3) an optional six-week open-label individually titrated treatment phase during which participants received 0.5 to 3.0 mg/kg oral esketamine two times a week. The primary outcome measure was change in depressive symptom severity, assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17), from baseline to 6 weeks. Fixed low-dose oral esketamine when compared to placebo had no benefit on the HDRS17 total score (p = 0.626). Except for dizziness and sleep hallucinations scores, which were higher in the esketamine arm, we found no significant difference in safety and tolerability aspects. During the open-label individually titrated treatment phase, the mean HDRS17 score decreased from 21.0 (SD 5.09) to 15.1 (SD 7.27) (mean difference -6.0, 95% CI -7.71 to -4.29, p < 0.001). Our results suggest that fixed low-dose esketamine is not effective in TRD. In contrast, individually titrated higher doses of oral esketamine might have antidepressant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Y Smith-Apeldoorn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jolien K E Veraart
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, PsyQ Haaglanden, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanine Kamphuis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Spijker
- Depression Expertise Center, Pro Persona Mental Health Care, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Antoinette D I van Asselt
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Aan Het Rot
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A Schoevers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Shanok NA, Muzac S, Brown L, Barrera M, Rodriguez R. Synergistic use of deep TMS therapy with IV ketamine infusions for major depressive disorder: a pilot study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06573-1. [PMID: 38472415 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06573-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a pervasive psychiatric condition effecting approximately 21 million adults in the U.S. (8.4%). An estimated 30-60% of patients are resistant to traditional treatment approaches (medications and talk-therapy), alluding to the need for additional options. Two promising treatment modalities include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine infusions; both have shown efficacy in standalone studies but have scarcely been investigated synergistically in the same group of participants. METHOD In the current study, 169 participants with treatment-resistant MDD received 36 treatments of Deep TMS-only (H1 + H7 protocols), while 66 received 36 treatments of Deep TMS (H1 + H7 protocols) and 6 IV infusions of ketamine over the course of 9 weeks. Depressive symptoms were compared pre- and -post treatment in both conditions using the PHQ-9. RESULTS In both treatment groups, depressive symptoms were significantly reduced from pre-to-post and there were no significant differences in response between the TMS + ketamine condition and the TMS-only condition. The TMS + ketamine condition had an 80.30% response rate (53 out of 66) and 43.42% remission rate (28 out of 66) compared to a 76.92% response (130 out of 169) and 39.64% remission (67 out of 16) in the TMS-only condition. CONCLUSION These results support the notion that TMS treatments yield high response rates in treatment-resistant cases; however, in this investigation there was no added benefit for including 6 sessions of IV ketamine in conjunction with TMS. Future investigations using randomized-control designs and robust outcome measures are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabrina Muzac
- Delray Center for Brain Science, Delray Beach, FL, USA
| | - Leah Brown
- Delray Center for Brain Science, Delray Beach, FL, USA
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Evans VD, Arenas A, Shinozuka K, Tabaac BJ, Beutler BD, Cherian K, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Ketamine. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e155-e177. [PMID: 38518272 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine, an arylcyclohexylamine dissociative anesthetic agent, has evolved into a versatile therapeutic. It has a rapid-onset, well-understood cardiovascular effects and a favorable safety profile in clinical use. Its enantiomeric compound, esketamine, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019 for both treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY Research indicates dose-dependent impacts on cognition, particularly affecting episodic and working memory following both acute administration and chronic use, albeit temporarily for the former and potentially persistent for the latter. Alongside acute risks to cardiovascular stability, ketamine use poses potential liver toxicity concerns, especially with prolonged or repeated exposure within short time frames. The drug's association with "ketamine cystitis," characterized by bladder inflammation, adds to its profile of physiological risks. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Data demonstrate a single intravenous infusion of ketamine exhibits antidepressant effects within hours (weighted effect size averages of depression scores (N = 518) following a single 0.5 mg/kg infusion of ketamine is d = 0.96 at 24 hours). Ketamine is also effective at reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity following repeated infusions (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale scores: -11.88 points compared with midazolam control). Ketamine also decreased suicidal ideation in emergency settings (Scale for Suicidal Ideation scores: -4.96 compared with midazolam control). Through its opioid-sparing effect, ketamine has revolutionized postoperative pain management by reducing analgesic consumption and enhancing recovery. LIMITATIONS Many studies indicate that ketamine's therapeutic effects may subside within weeks. Repeated administrations, given multiple times per week, are often required to sustain decreases in suicidality and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine's comprehensive clinical profile, combined with its robust effects on depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, chronic pain, and other psychiatric conditions, positions it as a substantial contender for transformative therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Bryce D Beutler
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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6
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Tabaac BJ, Shinozuka K, Arenas A, Beutler BD, Cherian K, Evans VD, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Historical Perspective and Overview. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e97-e103. [PMID: 38518266 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychedelic drugs have recently emerged as plausibly effective pharmacological agents for the management of depression, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric conditions, including those that are treatment-resistent. The latter half of the 20th century marked a revolution in the treatment of mental illnesses, exemplified by the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other pharmacological agents. Nevertheless, mental illness remains a major public health crisis, affecting nearly one billion individuals worldwide. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY Because of the decades-long status of several psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, there have not been very many large, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of psychedelics. Owing to small sample sizes, there may be rare yet serious adverse events that have not been reported in the clinical trials thus far. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Esketamine, a dissociative hallucinogen drug, was approved for the management of major depressive disorder by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019. As of January 2024, two Phase III trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic drug that inhibits the serotonin transporter, have been completed; the results indicate that MDMA is superior to existing pharmacological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. A phase III trial of psilocybin, a naturally occurring serotonin receptor partial agonist, is currently underway. The following series details the current state of research in psychedelic therapeutics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N-N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ayahuasca, psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and ketamine. LIMITATIONS While initial clinical trials of psychedelics for depression were very promising, trials of psilocybin with larger sample sizes (100+ participants) suggest that its remission rate is 25%-29%. This is about the same as the remission rate of antidepressants, which is roughly 30% according to the landmark STAR*D trial. CONCLUSIONS Psychedelic drugs and structural derivatives offer a great deal of promise for the management of a wide range of psychiatric morbidities. It is imperative that clinicians become familiar with these novel agents and learn how to integrate psychedelic therapy with the rest of their care through open communication and referral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Bryce D Beutler
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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7
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Glue P, Neehoff S, Beaglehole B, Shadli S, McNaughton N, Hughes-Medlicott NJ. Ketamine for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: Double-blind active-controlled crossover study. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:162-167. [PMID: 38293803 PMCID: PMC10863359 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241227026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine has rapid onset antidepressant activity in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). AIMS To evaluate mood rating, safety and tolerability data from patients with TRD treated with ketamine and the psychoactive control fentanyl, as part of a larger study to explore EEG biomarkers associated with mood response. METHODS We evaluated the efficacy and safety of intramuscular racemic ketamine in 25 patients with TRD, using a double-blind active-controlled randomized crossover design. Ketamine doses were 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, and the psychoactive control was fentanyl 50 mcg, given at weekly intervals. RESULTS/OUTCOMES Within 1 h of ketamine dosing, patients reported reduced depression and anxiety ratings, which persisted for up to 7 days. A dose-response profile for ketamine was noted for dissociative side effects, adverse events and changes in blood pressure; however, changes in mood ratings were broadly similar for both ketamine doses. Overall, 14/25 patients (56%) were responders (⩾50% reduction at 24 h compared with baseline) for either ketamine dose for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and 18/25 (72%) were responders for the HADS-anxiety scale. After fentanyl, only 1/25 (HADS-depression) and 3/25 (HADS-anxiety) were responders. Ketamine was generally safe and well tolerated in this population. CONCLUSIONS Our findings add to the literature confirming ketamine's activity against depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Glue
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Shona Neehoff
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ben Beaglehole
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Shabah Shadli
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil McNaughton
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Rodgers A, Bahceci D, Davey CG, Chatterton ML, Glozier N, Hopwood M, Loo C. Ensuring the affordable becomes accessible-lessons from ketamine, a new treatment for severe depression. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:109-116. [PMID: 37830221 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231203898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the case study of ketamine as a new treatment for severe depression is used to outline the challenges of repurposing established medicines and we suggest potential solutions. The antidepressant effects of generic racemic ketamine were identified over 20 years ago, but there were insufficient incentives for commercial entities to pursue its registration, or support for non-commercial entities to fill this gap. As a result, the evaluation of generic ketamine was delayed, piecemeal, uncoordinated, and insufficient to gain approval. Meanwhile, substantial commercial investment enabled the widespread registration of a patented, intranasal s-enantiomeric ketamine formulation (Spravato®) for depression. However, Spravato is priced at $600-$900/dose compared to ~$5/dose for generic ketamine, and the ~AUD$100 million annual government investment requested in Australia (to cover drug costs alone) has been rejected twice, leaving this treatment largely inaccessible for Australian patients 2 years after Therapeutic Goods Administration approval. Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that generic racemic ketamine is at least as effective as Spravato, but no comparative trials were required for regulatory approval and have not been conducted. Without action, this story will repeat regularly in the next decade with a new wave of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments, for which the original off-patent molecules could be available at low-cost and reduce the overall cost of treatment. Several systemic reforms are required to ensure that affordable, effective options become accessible; these include commercial incentives, public and public-private funding schemes, reduced regulatory barriers and more coordinated international public funding schemes to support translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Rodgers
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Dilara Bahceci
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher G Davey
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mary Lou Chatterton
- Health Economics Group, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Malcolm Hopwood
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Colleen Loo
- School of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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9
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Chrenek C, Duong B, Khullar A, McRee C, Thomas R, Swainson J. Use of ketamine for treatment resistant depression: updated review of literature and practical applications to a community ketamine program in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1283733. [PMID: 38260793 PMCID: PMC10801061 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Though intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine are noted to be efficacious for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), access to each of these treatments within healthcare systems is limited due to cost, availability, and/or monitoring requirements. IV ketamine has been offered at two public hospital sites in Edmonton, Canada since 2015. Since then, demand for maintenance ketamine treatments has grown. This has required creative solutions for safe, accessible, evidence-based patient care. Objectives Aims of this paper are twofold. First, we will provide a synthesis of current knowledge with regards to the clinical use of ketamine for TRD. Consideration will be given regarding; off-label racemic ketamine uses versus FDA-approved intranasal esketamine, populations treated, inclusion/exclusion criteria, dosing, assessing clinical response, concomitant medications, and tolerability/safety. Second, this paper will describe our experience as a community case study in applying evidence-based treatment. We will describe application of the literature review to our clinical programming, and in particular focus on cost-effective maintenance treatments, long-term safety concerns, routes of ketamine administration other than via intravenous, and cautious prescribing of ketamine outside of clinically monitored settings. Methodology We conducted a literature review of the on the use of ketamine for TRD up to June 30, 2023. Key findings are reviewed, and we describe their application to our ketamine program. Conclusion Evidence for the use of ketamine in resistant depression has grown in recent years, with evolving data to support and direct its clinical use. There is an increasing body of evidence to guide judicious use of ketamine in various clinical circumstances, for a population of patients with a high burden of suffering and morbidity. While large-scale, randomized controlled trials, comparative studies, and longer-term treatment outcomes is lacking, this community case study illustrates that currently available evidence can be applied to real-world clinical settings with complex patients. As cost is often a significant barrier to accessing initial and/or maintenance IV or esketamine treatments, public ketamine programs may incorporate SL or IN ketamine to support a sustainable and accessible treatment model. Three of such models are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson Chrenek
- Department of Psychiatry, Misericordia Community Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan Duong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Atul Khullar
- Department of Psychiatry, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chris McRee
- Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rejish Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer Swainson
- Department of Psychiatry, Misericordia Community Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Alves-Pereira R, Fontes M, Cordeiro V, Bandeira ID, Faria-Guimarães D, Silva SS, Mello RP, Leal GC, Sampaio AS, Quarantini LC. Esketamine Augmentation in Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review. Clin Neuropharmacol 2024; 47:17-21. [PMID: 38194244 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Converging evidence supports the role of the glutamate, an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter, in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Ketamine and esketamine, both noncompetitive N -methyl- d -aspartate antagonists, have emerged as a promising medication for this psychiatric disorder, given its possible efficacy with faster onset and good tolerability. The purpose of this retrospective chart review is to evaluate whether unbiased clinical documentation supports formal clinical trials of esketamine for an OCD indication. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients with treatment-resistant OCD receiving a single dose of esketamine (0.5mg/kg) added to standard therapy was conducted. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were used to evaluate OCD and depressive symptoms respectively at baseline, 24 hours, and 7 days after esketamine administration. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Eight subjects were identified in this retrospective chart review: esketamine was administered subcutaneously in 7 and intravenously in 1. One week after infusion, 25% of the sample met criteria for treatment response and 50% for partial response. Major depressive disorder was a comorbid diagnosis in 75% of the sample and 2 of these subjects showed a positive antidepressant response. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide preliminary evidence that esketamine may reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a subset of treatment-resistant OCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniela Faria-Guimarães
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Serviço de Psiquiatria do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia
| | - Samantha S Silva
- Laboratório de Neuropsicofarmacologia, Serviço de Psiquiatria do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia
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Beaglehole B, Glue P, Clarke M, Porter R. Multidisciplinary development of guidelines for ketamine treatment for treatment-resistant major depression disorder for use by adult specialist mental health services in New Zealand. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e191. [PMID: 37828915 PMCID: PMC10594164 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence base for racemic ketamine treatment for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) continues to expand, but there are major challenges translating this evidence base into routine clinical care. AIM To prepare guidelines for ketamine treatment of TRD that are suitable for routine use by publicly funded specialist mental health services. METHOD We consulted with senior leadership, clinical pharmacy, psychiatrists, nursing, service users and Māori mental health workers on issues relating to ketamine treatment. We prepared treatment guidelines taking the evidence base for ketamine treatment and the consultation into account. RESULTS Ketamine treatment guidance is reported. This offers two treatment pathways, including a test of ketamine responsiveness with intramuscular ketamine and the dominant use of oral ketamine for a 3-month course to maximise the opportunity for the short-term benefits of ketamine to accumulate. CONCLUSIONS We have responded to the challenges of translating the evidence base for ketamine treatment into a form suitable for routine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Beaglehole
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Paul Glue
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Mike Clarke
- Specialist Mental Health Services, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Richard Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
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Nikolin S, Rodgers A, Schwaab A, Bahji A, Zarate C, Vazquez G, Loo C. Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102127. [PMID: 37593223 PMCID: PMC10430179 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intranasal esketamine has received regulatory approvals for the treatment of depression. Recently a large trial of repeated dose racemic ketamine also demonstrated efficacy in severe depression. However, uncertainties remain regarding comparative efficacy, dosage, and the time course of response. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, Medline, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL up to April 13, 2023, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating ketamine for depression. Two investigators independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias and extracted the data on depression severity scores, response and remission rates, and all-cause dropouts. Multivariable mixed-effects meta-regressions incorporated drug formulation (racemic (Rac) or esketamine (Esket)) and dose (Low or High) as covariates. Treatment effects were assessed: immediately following the first dose, during further repeated dosing, and follow-up after the final dose of a treatment course. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021221157). Findings The systematic review identified 687 articles, of which 49 RCTs were eligible for analysis, comprising 3299 participants. Standardised mean differences (95% confidence intervals) immediately following the first/single treatment were moderate-high for all conditions (Rac-High: -0.73, -0.91 to -0.56; Esket-High: -0.48, -0.75 to -0.20; Rac-Low: -0.33, -0.54 to -0.12; Esket-Low: -0.55, -0.87 to -0.24). Ongoing effects during repeated dosing were significantly greater than the control for Rac-High (-0.61; -1.02 to -0.20) and Rac-Low (-0.55, -1.09 to -0.00), but not Esket-Low (-0.15, -0.49 to 0.19) or Esket-High (-0.22, -0.54 to 0.10). At follow-up effects remained significant for racemic ketamine (-0.65; -1.23 to -0.07) but not esketamine (-0.33; -0.96 to 0.31). All-cause dropout was similar between experiment and control conditions for both formulations combined (Odds Ratio = 1.18, 0.85-1.64). Overall heterogeneity varied from 5.7% to 87.6. Interpretation Our findings suggested that effect sizes for depression severity, as well as response and remission rates, were numerically greater for racemic ketamine than esketamine. Higher doses were more effective than low doses. Differences were evident in initial effects, ongoing treatment, and lasting effects after the final dose. Funding None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Nikolin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carlos Zarate
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gustavo Vazquez
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Colleen Loo
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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