Ketamine in Borderline Personality Disorder

Stopped early · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Borderline Personality Disorder

In brief

The purpose of this study is to test the potential of the rapid-acting anti-depressant ketamine to decrease suicidality in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The rate of completed suicide in BPD is similar to that of depression or schizophrenia. There is currently no specific medication treatment for BPD. Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic agent that has been shown to rapidly decrease suicidality and improve mood in people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Though symptoms overlap, effective treatments for MDD and BPD differ. This clinical trial tests if ketamine also decreases suicidality and improves mood in BPD. This trial will also measure several other outcomes after ketamine versus placebo in BPD: adverse events, BPD symptoms, pain, social cognition, and neuroplasticity.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03395314

Run by

Yale University

People needed

22

Starts

2018-02-15

Expected to finish

2022-05-06

Last updated by the study team

2023-06-26

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 21-60
• Clinical diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
• Has suicidal ideation.
• Fluent in English
• Has a current mental health treater, and agrees for study to communicate with treater

You may not qualify if…

• Current suicidal intent
• Med changes in last 4 weeks
• Any ketamine in any context in the last one year.
• Current prescription for topiramate, lamotrigine, or lithium.
• Psychotic disorder in self or first-degree relative
• Current substance dependence including alcohol dependence
• Any history of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate )-antagonist abuse
• Any history of opiate abuse
• History of major medical illness especially neurologic or cardiovascular condition, or any other medical contra-indication to ketamine administration at the discretion of the study MD.
• Positive urine test for drugs of abuse screening on day of ketamine administration
• Positive pregnancy test on day of ketamine administration
• At the discretion of study staff

Where it is running

• Connecticut Mental Health Center — New Haven, Connecticut, United States
• Yale New Haven Hospital — New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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