Comparing ketamine and midazolam for treating suicidal thoughts in adolescents

Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Acute-Course of Ketamine Versus Midazolam for Recurrence of Suicidality in Adolescents

['FUNDING_R01'] · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-10689903

This study is looking at how well ketamine works compared to midazolam in helping young people who are feeling suicidal, by giving them treatments over two weeks and checking how they feel afterward.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DALLAS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10689903 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of ketamine compared to midazolam in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents. Participants will receive either intravenous ketamine or midazolam in an intensive outpatient program designed for youths who have recently experienced suicidal events. The study will involve four infusions over two weeks, with follow-up assessments to evaluate the impact on repeat suicide attempts, implicit suicidal thoughts, and overall depression levels. The goal is to identify a rapid-acting treatment option for adolescents at risk of suicide.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 15-24 who have recently exhibited suicidal behaviors.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts, potentially reducing the risk of repeat suicide attempts.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for ketamine in treating suicidality in adults, but this specific approach in adolescents is novel.

Where this research is happening

DALLAS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.