Staff and Researcher Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

7-1-2022

Journal

Neuropsychopharmacology

DOI

10.1038/s41386-022-01266-9

PMID

35046508

PMCID

PMC8767037

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-19-2022

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

This study tested the efficacy of repeated intravenous ketamine doses to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans and service members with PTSD (n = 158) who failed previous antidepressant treatment were randomized to 8 infusions administered twice weekly of intravenous placebo (n = 54), low dose (0.2 mg/kg; n = 53) or standard dose (0.5 mg/kg; n = 51) ketamine. Participants were assessed at baseline, during treatment, and for 4 weeks after their last infusion. Primary analyses used mixed effects models. The primary outcome measure was the self-report PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and secondary outcome measures were the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). There were no significant group-by-time interactions for PTSD symptoms measured by the PCL-5 or CAPS-5. The standard ketamine dose ameliorated depression measured by the MADRS significantly more than placebo. Ketamine produced dose-related dissociative and psychotomimetic effects, which returned to baseline within 2 h and were less pronounced with repeated administration. There was no evidence of differential treatment discontinuation by ketamine dose, consistent with good tolerability. This clinical trial failed to find a significant dose-related effect of ketamine on PTSD symptoms. Secondary analyses suggested that the standard dose exerted rapid antidepressant effects. Further studies are needed to determine the role of ketamine in PTSD treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02655692.

Keywords

Antidepressive Agents, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Ketamine, Military Personnel, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Treatment Outcome, Veterans, Drug development, Trauma

Comments

This article has been corrected. See Neuropsychopharmacology. 2022 May 11;47(8):1583.

Published Open-Access

yes

Additional Files
41386_2022_Article_1339.pdf (336 kB)
Correction
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