Role of Ketamine in Treatment – Neuroglow Clinic neuroglow.com

The incapacitating condition known as major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterised by relapses that happen frequently, inadequate recovery between episodes, and enduring psychosocial and functional impairment. One of the top 10 causes of disability in the world, MDD is linked to a higher risk of suicide thoughts and behaviours. Although there are already various psychopharmacological treatments for MDD, 10–20% of individuals on the most widely used antidepressants do not fully recover and fulfil the criteria for treatment resistance.

Role of Ketamine in Treatment

At least 10-20% of the patients suffering from depression meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In the last decades, the essential role of glutamate in mood modulation has been hypothesized. Ketamine, a non-noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, has been effective in both MDD and TRD. However, concerns emerged about the optimal dosage and frequency of administration of this treatment.