Ketamine in the Treatment of Suicidal Depression

Completed · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Major Depressive Disorder, Suicidal Ideation

In brief

This study is designed to compare the effectiveness of two medications, Ketamine and Midazolam, for rapidly relieving suicidal thoughts in people suffering from depression. The first drug, Ketamine, is an experimental antidepressant that early studies have shown may quickly reduce suicidal thoughts, but we are not sure how well it may work. Midazolam, the comparison drug, is not thought to reduce depression or suicidal thoughts.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01700829

Run by

New York State Psychiatric Institute

People needed

82

Starts

2012-06-01

Expected to finish

2017-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2020-03-11

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Unipolar depression with current major depressive episode (MDE). Participants may be psychiatric medication-free, or if on psychiatric medication, not responding adequately given current MDE with suicidal ideation (See 2).
• Moderate to severe suicidal ideation
• 18-65 years old
• Participants must agree to a voluntary admission to an inpatient research unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI)for the infusion(s), for a brief stay, or longer if clinically necessary.
• Pre-menopausal female participants of child-bearing potential must be willing to use an acceptable form of birth control during study participation such as condoms, diaphragm, or oral contraceptive pills.
• Able to provide informed consent
• Participants 61-65 years old must score a 25 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at screening.

You may not qualify if…

• Unstable medical condition or neurological illness, including baseline hypertension (BP>140/90) or significant history of cardiovascular illness.
• Significant ECG abnormality
• Pregnant or lactating
• Diagnosis of bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
• Contraindication to any study treatment.
• Inadequate understanding of English.
• Prior ineffective trial of or adverse reaction to Ketamine or Midazolam.
• Opiate use greater than total daily dose of 20mg Oxycodone or equivalent during the 3 days pre-infusion.
• A diagnosis of sleep apnea.

Where it is running

• Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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