← Back to Search

NMDA Receptor Antagonist

Ketamine for Depression

Phase < 1
Recruiting
Led By Michael Treadway, PhD
Research Sponsored by Emory University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
men or women, 18-65 years of age
MDD Patients: primary diagnosis of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-V MDD, current, as diagnosed by the SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, 24 hours post-infusion, 14 days post-infusion
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will study how ketamine affects decision-making and emotion processing in people with Major Depressive Disorder.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and moderate to very severe depression, as indicated by a score of ≥20 on the Beck Depression Inventory. Participants must not have used antidepressants for at least 8 weeks before starting the study. Exclusions include treatment-resistant MDD, adverse reactions to ketamine, certain physical illnesses, substance abuse within the last 6 months, active suicidal thoughts, or pregnancy.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests how ketamine affects decision-making and emotion in people with MDD compared to a placebo. It aims to understand if changes in brain function related to stress and pleasure are influenced by ketamine administration.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Ketamine may cause side effects such as disorientation, dizziness, nausea, elevated blood pressure during infusion, dissociation (feeling disconnected from reality), mood swings or unusual behavior.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am between 18 and 65 years old.
Select...
I have been diagnosed with major depression according to the DSM-V.
Select...
I have been diagnosed with major depression.
Select...
I am between 18 and 65 years old.
Select...
I am between 18 and 65 years old and have major depressive disorder.
Select...
I haven't taken any antidepressants for at least 8 weeks.
Select...
I haven't taken any antidepressants for at least 8 weeks.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, 24 hours post-infusion, 14 days post-infusion
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 24 hours post-infusion, 14 days post-infusion for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Change in glutamate concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)
Other outcome measures
Apathy
Change in Apathy Motivation Index (AMI)
Change in Digit Symbol Task (DST)
+13 more

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Major depressive disorder (MDD) KetamineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants randomized to the ketamine arm will receive a single intravenous (IV) infusion of ketamine at 0.5mg/kg through an indwelling catheter over a 40-100min period.
Group II: Healthy ControlsActive Control1 Intervention
The subjects in this group will not receive any intervention.
Group III: Major depressive disorder (MDD) PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Participants randomized to the placebo arm will receive a single intravenous (IV) infusion of saline through an indwelling catheter over a 40-100min period.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Ketamine
2011
Completed Phase 4
~1090

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Emory UniversityLead Sponsor
1,642 Previous Clinical Trials
2,563,756 Total Patients Enrolled
60 Trials studying Depression
9,016 Patients Enrolled for Depression
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)NIH
2,795 Previous Clinical Trials
2,688,976 Total Patients Enrolled
670 Trials studying Depression
252,648 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Michael Treadway, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorEmory University
2 Previous Clinical Trials
242 Total Patients Enrolled
2 Trials studying Depression
242 Patients Enrolled for Depression

Media Library

Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05327699 — Phase < 1
Depression Research Study Groups: Major depressive disorder (MDD) Ketamine, Major depressive disorder (MDD) Placebo, Healthy Controls
Depression Clinical Trial 2023: Ketamine Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05327699 — Phase < 1
Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05327699 — Phase < 1
Depression Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05327699 — Phase < 1

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is there still room available for participants in this experiment?

"Clinicaltrials.gov confirms that this medical trial is presently recruiting participants, with the first post appearing on September 1st 2022 and the most recent update posted on September 23rd 2022."

Answered by AI

What is the current sample size of participants in this medical experiment?

"Affirmative. According to the information hosted on clinicaltrials.gov, this medical investigation is actively searching for participants; it was published on September 1st 2022 and last updated a month later. 250 patients from one research location are needed in order to proceed with the study."

Answered by AI

Is participation in this clinical experiment available to me?

"This medical study is accepting applicants aged 18-65 who have been diagnosed with psychosis and involutional depression. In addition to meeting these criteria, prospects must be able to provide written informed consent, have a Beck Depression Inventory score of at least 20 (which denotes moderate/severe or very severe depressive symptoms), demonstrate a DSM V Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis through the SCID-I Structured Clinical Interview process, and abstain from antidepressant use for 8 weeks prior to enrollment."

Answered by AI

Does this clinical exploration accept participants of greater than twenty-five years old?

"The requisite age range for inclusion in this clinical trial is 18 to 65, as specified by the study's criteria."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
Oklahoma
California
Georgia
Other
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Met criteria
Did not meet criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
2
0
3+
What site did they apply to?
Emory University

What questions have other patients asked about this trial?

Is there certain medications I am prescribed that would illuminate me as trial candidate?
PatientReceived no prior treatments

Why did patients apply to this trial?

To help my depression. I’ve tried many antidepressants and nothing has ever worked for me.
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment
I’ve had TRD since I was 8 years old. The only med that semi worked was Abilify as an add on to lexapro and that gave me TD. I’m at my wits end. I just want quality of life!
PatientReceived no prior treatments
Have been being prescribed so many medication from my VA therapist that we have went back to retry those they kind of helped but not enough to achieve a quality of life. So was researching trials and one came up for my Muskogee VA so applied.
PatientReceived no prior treatments
~156 spots leftby Nov 2026