Ketamine and brain chemistry in preventing suicide in high-risk depression
Official title: Neural Components of Stress Response and Suicide Behavior: Preventive Impact of Ketamine
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11349211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will explore how ketamine affects brain chemistry and daily stress responses to help prevent suicide in people with severe depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,295,627 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH139573-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with high-risk depression who may be candidates for ketamine-based treatment under clinical monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
People without depression or those not suitable for ketamine treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how stress and brain chemicals interact to influence suicidal thoughts and behavior in people with depression. It will examine the glutamatergic system and brain circuits, and test whether different ketamine doses change responses to real-life stress. Participants will be adults with high suicide risk who receive ketamine in a controlled setting and are followed to observe effects on mood, stress processing, and coping after daily life events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new treatment approaches that reduce suicide risk in people with depression.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier research suggests ketamine can rapidly influence mood and stress responses, with ongoing studies exploring its role in suicide prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mann, Joseph John — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Mann, Joseph John
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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.