Fast-acting ketamine to reduce suicidal thoughts in teens and young adults and improve follow-up care
Official title: Ketamine Treatment of Youth Suicide Attempters for Fast Reduction of Severe Suicide Risk and Facilitation of Long-term Collaborative Clinical Engagement: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10917013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short course of ketamine is being given to teens and young adults who recently attempted suicide to see whether it quickly lowers suicidal thoughts and helps them stay engaged in care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,008 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH125214-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are 15–24 years old who recently attempted suicide, are admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit, and are willing to receive IV infusions and participate in weekly CAMS therapy.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the 15–24 age range, those without a recent suicide attempt, or those with medical contraindications to ketamine (for example certain heart conditions or active psychosis) may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
You would be admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt and randomized to receive either intravenous ketamine or a saline placebo. Each infusion is 0.5 mg/kg given over 40 minutes, with up to six infusions or until you report reduced suicidal thoughts for three sessions in a row. Alongside the infusions you would take part in weekly Collaborative Assessment for the Management of Suicidality (CAMS) sessions while inpatient and after discharge until suicidal thoughts remit. The trial enrolls about 140 people ages 15–24 and follows clinical response and engagement over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could quickly lower suicide risk in young people and help them connect to ongoing treatment that may prevent repeat attempts.
How similar studies have gone: Prior adult studies have shown rapid anti-suicidal effects of ketamine, but rigorous randomized data in adolescents and young adults are limited, making this approach relatively novel in youth.
Where this research is happening
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Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falcone, Tatiana — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Falcone, Tatiana
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.