Exploring how ketamine affects aesthetics and depression
Unraveling the Aesthetic Mind in Anhedonia, Insights From Pharmacological Imaging of the Human Brain: A Single-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Cross-over Study
PHASE1 · Medical University of Vienna · NCT05320107
This study is testing how ketamine affects how people see beauty and if it can help those with major depression feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | PHASE1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Vienna (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Vienna) |
| Trial ID | NCT05320107 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of ketamine on aesthetic perception and its potential role in alleviating symptoms of major depressive disorder. It involves 25 patients with major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls, who will undergo two MRI assessments: one after receiving intravenous ketamine and another after a placebo. The study employs a single-center, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, utilizing various imaging techniques to evaluate aesthetic processing, reward, and sexual arousal, alongside neuropsychological assessments of depressive symptoms and anhedonia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 18 to 55 with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
Not a fit: Patients with current or history of neurological diseases, significant medical illnesses, or those who have previously used ketamine may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into new therapeutic approaches for treating major depressive disorder through the lens of aesthetic perception.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of aesthetic processing and ketamine's antidepressant effects is novel, previous studies have shown ketamine's efficacy in treating depression.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * General health based on medical history and physical examination * Psychiatric health based on structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID) for healthy controls * Major depressive episode (first or recurrent) based on structured clinical interview for DSM-5 and ICD-10 for patients * Age 18 to 55 years * Right-handedness (due to potential lateralization effects of lefthanded subjects) * Willingness and competence to sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Current or history of neurological disease * Current medical illness requiring treatment * Psychiatric diagnosis for healthy individuals * Psychiatric comorbidity with the exception of anxiety disorders for depressed individuals * Pregnancy or current breastfeeding * Current or former substance abuse * Previous ketamine use in lifetime * Any contraindication for MRI (e.g., MR incompatible implants, etc.) including dental implants causing signal artifacts * Failure to comply with the study protocol or to follow the instruction of the investigating team
Where this trial is running
Vienna
- Medical University of Vienna — Vienna, Austria (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rupert Lanzenberger, MD
- Email: rupert.lanzenberger@meduniwien.ac.at
- Phone: 0043 1 40400
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder