title: Serial infusions of low-dose ketamine for major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single infusions of ketamine have been used successfully to achieve improvement in depressed patients. Side effects during the infusions have been common. It is not known whether serial infusions or lower infusion rates result in greater efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten depressed patients were treated with twice weekly ketamine infusions of ketamine 0.5 mg/kg administered over 100 min until either remission was achieved or four infusions were given. Side effects were assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Patients were followed naturalistically at weekly intervals for four weeks after completion of the infusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five of 10 patients achieved remission status. There were no significant increases on the BPRS or YMRS. Two of the remitting patients sustained their improvement throughout the four week follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ketamine infusions at a lower rate than previously reported have demonstrated similar efficacy and excellent tolerability and may be more practically available for routine clinical care. Serial ketamine infusions appear to be more effective than a single infusion. Further research to test relapse prevention strategies with continuation ketamine infusions is indicated.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. rasmussen.keith@mayo.edu
authors: Keith G
authors: KG
authors: Rasmussen
authors: Timothy W
authors: TW
authors: Lineberry
authors: Christine W
authors: CW
authors: Galardy
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Kung
authors: Maria I
authors: MI
authors: Lapid
authors: Brian A
authors: BA
authors: Palmer
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Ritter
authors: Kathryn M
authors: KM
authors: Schak
authors: Christopher L
authors: CL
authors: Sola
authors: Allison J
authors: AJ
authors: Hanson
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Frye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007649:Ketamine