Ketamine Treatment Options

This is a randomized, single blinded, placebo-controlled trial to study the effectiveness of a subanesthetic dose (0.6 mg/kg) of ketamine versus placebo (saline) on postoperative pain and pain on adult female chronic pelvic pain patients undergoing robotic removal of endometriosis. The objective of the study is to explore the effect of a sub anesthetic dose of ketamine (0.6 mg/kg) vs. saline control on postoperative pain and recovery in chronic pelvic pain patients who have undergone robotic removal of endometriosis. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to to evaluate the relationships between peak (% change from baseline) central GABA and Glu levels during a 40-min IV ketamine or normal saline infusion utilizing fMRS, and change in peripheral GABA and Glu levels from baseline to 24-hr postinfusion utilizing LCMS, with baseline to 24-hr post-infusion change in depression (MADRS) in 30 TRD adults. Read Less

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare two commonly employed intravenous drug combinations; I) nitrous oxide, midazolam, fentanyl, and ketamine and II) the same combination with substitution of propofol for ketamine, for use during wisdom teeth extraction. Measures of recovery, amnesia testing 20 minutes after induction and after completion of recovery tests, patient satisfaction, and surgeon satisfaction will be evaluated. The data from this pilot study will be used to obtain preliminary estimates of effect sizes and to select primary and secondary endpoints for the design of a larger scale and more definitive trial of the two anesthetic approaches. Read Less

This multicenter, triple-blind, phase 2, randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of psilocybin therapy compared to an active control in treating demoralization in adults near the end of life (≤2 years life expectancy). Read Less

A single subanesthetic dose infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder (TRD). A family history of an alcohol use disorder (Family History Positive, FHP) is one of the strongest identified predictors of an improved antidepressant response to ketamine. Like ketamine, alcohol is a functional NMDA receptor antagonist. FHP is associated with differential response to ketamine, e.g. blunted psychotomimetic side effects. One of the primary mechanistic hypotheses for ketamine's antidepressant action is the acute intrasynaptic release of glutamate from major output neurons, e.g. cortical pyramidal cells. Preliminary clinical studies have demonstrated this acute glutamate "surge" in response to subanesthetic dose ketamine. Based on these findings, the investigators hypothesize that ketamine's enhanced antidepressant efficacy in FHP TRD subjects is, at least in part, attributable to increased glutamate release relative to TRD subjects without a family history of alcohol use disorder (Family History Negative, FHN). To test this hypothesis, the investigators have designed a now two-site, open-label study of 18-55-year-old medically and neurologically healthy, currently moderately-to-severely depressed TRD patients. In total, the investigators plan to recruit 25 FHP and 25 FHN TRD subjects. All subjects must not have a current substance use disorder (except nicotine or caffeine). The experimental portion consists of two phases. The preliminary first phase is a medication taper (if needed) and psychotropic medication-free period. The experimental second phase comprises one subanesthetic dose (0.5mg/kg x 40 minute) ketamine infusion. The ketamine infusion will occur during 7T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), both resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to detect glutamate in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex/ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vmPFC/vACC). The primary outcome measure is group mean change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from pre-ketamine infusion (baseline) to one-week post-infusion, where the investigators observed ketamine's greatest antidepressant effect in FHP TRD. Additional outcome measures are vmPFC/vACC glutamate change in response to ketamine based on family history status. In summary, this study will provide key mechanistic information on ketamine's improved antidepressant efficacy in a biologically-enriched subgroup. This will contribute to the systematic development of more efficacious, personalized treatments for major depression in an effort to reduce its enormous public health burden. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of interventional/procedural therapies for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These treatments include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), racemic ketamine infusion and intranasal esketamine insufflation. The investigators will obtain various indicators, or biomarkers, of a depressed individuals' state before, during, and/or after these treatments. Such biomarkers include neurobehavioral testing, neuroimaging, electroencephalography, cognitive testing, vocal recordings, epi/genetic testing, and autonomic nervous system measures (i.e. "fight-or-flight" response). The results obtained from this study may provide novel antidepressant treatment response biomarkers, with the future goal of targeting a given treatment to an individual patient ("personalized medicine"). Read Less

This study is aimed to evaluate outpatient ketamine infusion within a military chronic neuropathic pain population and its effect on PTSD. Currently, this is a pilot study with 30 participants. Participants will be randomized to (1) a moderate dose ketamine, (2) moderate dose ketamine +Mg, or (3) a magnesium control group. Participants will complete self-reported pain and PTSD questionnaires throughout the \~24-week study period. The outlined strategy will provide evidence for the utility of ketamine in neuropathic pain management and pain associated comorbidities within a military population. Read Less

This study hypothesizes that the addition of a low-dose ketamine infusion to usual post-operative pain management will improve pain control as evidenced by an improvement in post-operative pain scores for patients undergoing spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. Read Less

To explore whether intravenous ketamine followed by buprenorphine produces more rapid and sustained anti-suicidal effects than ketamine followed by placebo, investigators will conduct a single study that will take approximately 2.5 years to complete. 60 subjects (60 infusions) or approximately 24 infusions per year. Read Less

The goal of this randomized double blind three way (1:1:1) cross over clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and duration of analgesia of a single infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK 0.5mg/kg compared with ketamine 0.5mg/kg and saline with a 5-week interval between treatments on pain, pain qualities, physical function, pain interference, sleep disturbance and quality of life in subjects with neuropathic pain of the extremities. The questions that this study will address are: 1. What is the analgesic efficacy of (2R,6R)-HNK on pain intensity and pain qualities in patients with chronic (\>3 month) neuropathic pain (NP). 2. What will be the effective duration of a single infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK in patients with NP. 3. Will (2R,6R)-HNK reduce pain related effects including interference in daily activities of life, sleep disturbances and change the qualities of pain reported by patients. Participants will receive each of the three study drugs in a random order at 5-week intervals over a 15 week period. The drug will be administered as a 45-minute infusion. Participants will complete quantitative sensory and pain evaluations and complete patient reported pain outcomes prior to receiving the first study drug and at 7, 14 and 21 and 35 days following study drug administration. Read Less

The objective of this study is to conduct a randomized clinical trial to evaluate an opioid versus an opioid-free pathway of perioperative use of ketamine, ketorolac, and IV acetaminophen followed by the postoperative use of ketorolac, and oral acetaminophen for pain associated with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. Escalation to use of opioid treatment for the opioid-free constituents will be available if needed. Read Less

Pain is common in children presenting to the emergency department but is frequently undertreated, leading to both short- and long-term consequences. Morphine is the standard treatment for children with moderate to severe acute pain, but its use is associated with serious side effects and caregiver and clinician concerns related to opioid administration. The investigators aim to determine if sub-dissociative ketamine is non-inferior to morphine for treating acute pain and a preferable alternative for treating acute pain in children because of its more favorable side effect profile and potential long-term benefits related to pain-related function, analgesic use/misuse, and mental and behavioral health outcomes. Read Less