title: Remission From Behavioral Dysregulation in a Child With PTSD After Receiving Procedural Ketamine.
abstract: Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor antagonist, has long been used for anesthesia and has recently been investigated for its rapid antidepressant effects in adults with treatment-resistant depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We report a case of a child with PTSD and episodes of severe aggression and emotional dysregulation that were refractory to multiple medical and behavioral interventions. This child demonstrated sustained (8-13 days) remission from these symptoms when exposed to ketamine in the context of 2 procedures. We review the sparse literature on the uses of ketamine for behavioral purposes in children. This case suggests that ketamine should be further explored as a potential treatment option for children with severe refractory behavioral aggression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, linds368@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Donoghue
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Emergency Medicine University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Roback
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007649:Ketamine