Treating suicidal thoughts in depression with ketamine

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to treat individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who are experiencing active suicidal ideation using ketamine. Participants will receive four intravenous ketamine infusions over two weeks while undergoing neuroimaging and psychological assessments to understand the biological and psychological mechanisms of suicidal thoughts. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine in reducing suicidal ideation and explore changes in brain activity associated with these effects. Additionally, qualitative interviews will provide insights into participants' experiences and thought patterns during treatment.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. English speaking
2. Ages 18-65 years old
3. Suicidal ideation severity score ≥3 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (Baseline/Screening version) at Screening Visit ("active suicidal ideation with any methods")
4. Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5)
5. Willing to maintain stable doses of concomitant medications throughout the study
6. Be under the care of a designated health care provider (i.e., family physician or psychiatrist) to follow their care after the completion of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants not medically cleared to receive ketamine treatment due to presence of clinically relevant disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, renal or hepatic impairment, significant coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder).
2. Known or suspected hypersensitivity or intolerance to ketamine
3. Body mass index (BMI) ≥35
4. History of a primary psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia), or current or recent (\<2 years) acute episode of psychosis
5. Current and/or recent history (\<12 months) of substance use/dependence (except for caffeine or nicotine) or problematic current alcohol use or dependence as defined by DSM-5 criteria
6. Pregnant, breastfeeding or of childbearing potential and unwilling to use an approved method of contraception during the study
7. History of significant head injury including loss of consciousness \>5 minutes
8. Any MRI contraindications
9. Concurrent use of ketamine in any form
10. Concurrent active ECT or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy

Where it's running

• Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jennifer Phillips, PhD — University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research at The Royal
• Study coordinator: Research Coordinator
• Email: suzannah.wojcik@theroyal.ca
• Phone: 613-722-6521

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Ketamine with DBT for suicidality in adults with treatment-resistant depression or bipolar disorder and BPD

  This study tests whether four ketamine infusions plus Dialectical Behavioural Therapy can more quickly reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with Borderline Personality Disorder and treatment-resistant depression or bipolar disorder.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University Health Network, Toronto · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07569198

• Inhaled DMT for major depressive disorder

  This trial tests whether inhaled DMT can quickly ease depressive symptoms and reduce suicide risk in adults with major depressive disorder.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte · Fortaleza, Ceará and 4 other locations · NCT07562191

• Deep TMS for adolescents hospitalized with depression

  This trial will try deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) as an add-on to usual care for 14–18-year-olds hospitalized with major depressive disorder to see if it reduces depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and readmissions.

  Recruiting Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati · Cincinnati, Ohio · NCT07217444

• Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation for adolescents and young adults with depression and suicidal thoughts

  This trial will try a fast, noninvasive, MRI-guided brain stimulation (accelerated intermittent theta burst TMS) given over five days to reduce depression and suicidal thoughts in 15–25 year olds recently treated for suicidality.

  Recruiting University of California, Davis · Sacramento, California · NCT07025720

• Assessing mental health disorders in Hong Kong using a new recall method

  This study is testing a new way to help people in Hong Kong remember important life events to see how many have experienced major depression and thoughts of suicide.

  Recruiting The University of Hong Kong · Hong Kong · NCT06804525

• Emotional Reactivity in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression Using Eye-Tracking and Physiological Measures

  This study tests how people with severe alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, both conditions, or neither, recognize and react to emotions using eye-tracking and physiological data.

  Recruiting Université Catholique de Louvain · Brussels, Belgium · NCT07925281

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.