Using ketamine and digital training to improve depression treatment
Official title: 1/2 A Brief Automated Neurocognitive Training to Enhance the Real-World Impact of Ketamine's Rapid Antidepressant Effect
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11132825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how combining intravenous ketamine, which helps with depression quickly, with digital brain training can make those benefits last longer and help change negative thoughts into positive ones, so if you're dealing with depression, this could be a great opportunity for you to feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $968,785 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136179-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with depression who are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a diagnosis of depression or those who are not responsive to ketamine treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how intravenous ketamine, known for its rapid antidepressant effects, can be combined with automated cognitive training to enhance and prolong its benefits. The approach focuses on leveraging the brain's increased neuroplasticity after ketamine infusion to reshape negative thought patterns into more positive ones through digital training techniques. By doing so, the study aims to create a lasting impact on patients' mental health beyond the typical short-term effects of ketamine. Patients will participate in this innovative treatment to potentially improve their depressive symptoms significantly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and sustained treatment option for individuals suffering from depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in combining ketamine with cognitive training techniques, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Price, Rebecca — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Price, Rebecca
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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.