Understanding how ketamine helps treat severe depression

The Mechanism of Action Underlying Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects: An Investigation of the AMPA Throughput Theory in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depression

This study is trying to understand how ketamine helps people with severe depression feel better quickly by looking at changes in their brain activity and mood.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) (NIH)
• Locations: 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
• Trial ID: NCT03973268 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the mechanism by which ketamine exerts its rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. It focuses on the role of AMPA receptors in mediating these effects and involves a series of assessments including blood tests, psychological evaluations, MRI scans, and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to monitor brain activity. Participants will undergo a tapering period off their psychiatric medications before receiving ketamine treatment, allowing researchers to observe changes in brain function and mood. The goal is to better understand the neurobiological processes involved in ketamine's action to inform future treatments for depression.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-70 with major depressive disorder who have not responded to at least two adequate antidepressant trials.

Not a fit: Patients with psychotic features or those who have not experienced treatment-resistant depression may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective and faster-acting treatments for patients suffering from severe depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with ketamine's antidepressant effects, particularly regarding its rapid action in treatment-resistant cases, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Phases I-II

1. 18 to 70 years of age.
2. Each subject must have a level of understanding sufficient to agree to all required tests and examinations and sign an informed consent document.
3. All subjects must have undergone a screening assessment under protocol 01-M-0254, "The Evaluation of Patients with Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Healthy Volunteers".
4. Subjects must fulfill DSM-IV or -5criteria for Major Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) without psychotic features, based on clinical assessment and informed by a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-P).
5. Subjects must have an initial score on the MADRS greater than or equal to 22 and a YMRS score of \<12 within one week of study entry and upon entry into Phase II.
6. Lack of response to two adequate antidepressant trials, with \[at least\] one in the current major depressive episode, operationally defined using the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF); a failed adequate trial of ECT \[or TMS\] would count as an adequate antidepressant trial.
7. Current major depressive episode lasting at least four weeks
8. Agree to be hospitalized

Open-Label Ketamine Treatment

1. Participants must have met all inclusion criteria for and completed Study Phase II
2. Individuals who are able to get pregnant must be willing to remain sexually abstinent or use at least one form of effective birth control during participation in Phase III.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Phases I-II

1. Current psychotic features or a diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder as defined in the DSM-IV or DSM-5.
2. Subjects with a history of substance abuse or dependence diagnosis (DSM-IV) or substance use disorder (DSM-5 equivalent) (except for caffeine or nicotine dependence) within the preceding 3 months. In addition, subjects who currently are using drugs (except for caffeine or nicotine) must not have used illicit substances or known drugs of abuse in the 2 weeks prior to screening and must have a negative alcohol and drug urine test (except for prescribed benzodiazepines or stimulants) at screening.
3. Serious, unstable illnesses including hepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic ischemic stroke, and atrial fibrillation), endocrinologic, neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease.
4. Pregnant or nursing individuals or those who are physically able to become pregnant. Participants who are physically able to become pregnant or cause a pregnancy must use at least one form of effective birth control or remain completely abstinent from sexual intercourse during the entire period of study participation (or until the last clinical labs and ratings). Participants able to become pregnant must have negative urine pregnancy tests no more than 24 hours prior to receiving the study drugs and undergoing imaging procedures.
5. Subjects with one or more seizures without a clear and resolved etiology or current use of medication known to lower seizure threshold. History of seizure (regardless of age or etiology), history of epilepsy in self or first-degree relatives, stroke, brain surgery, head injury, or known structural brain lesion will be excluded from the TMS procedures.
6. Presence of any medical illness likely to alter brain morphology and/or physiology (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) even if controlled by medications.
7. Clinically significant abnormal laboratory tests.
8. (For imaging procedures) Subjects with hearing loss that has been clinically evaluated and diagnosed and may be worsened through participation in imaging procedures
9. Positive HIV test
10. Weight \> 119 kg
11. Treatment with any concomitant psychiatric medication prior to entering Phase II. \[Medications must be tapered during Phase I.\]
12. Treatment with any non-psychiatric medication/s.
13. Any use of opioid medication in the past 3 months
14. Treatment with a reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) prior to entering Phase II. \[Medications must be tapered during Phase I.\]
15. Treatment with fluoxetine or aripiprazole at the time of screening.
16. Unwilling to stop undergoing structured, individualized psychotherapy. (Such therapy, including CBT, will not be permitted during Phases I and II of the study.)
17. Presence of metallic (ferromagnetic) implants (e.g., heart pacemaker, aneurysm clip).
18. Participants who are uncomfortable in small closed spaces (have claustrophobia).
19. Are unable to lie comfortably supine for up to 90 minutes and would feel uncomfortable in the MRI and MEG machines.
20. Subjects who, in the investigator s judgment, pose a current serious suicidal or homicidal risk.
21. Subjects who have a history of aggressive behavior towards others
22. A current NIMH employee/staff or their immediate family member

Open-Label Ketamine Treatment

1. Intolerable or serious adverse reaction to ketamine during Phase II
2. Participants with a positive urine for an illicit substance no more than 24 hours prior to ketamine treatment.
3. Pregnant or nursing individuals or those who plan to become pregnant.

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Carlos A Zarate, M.D. — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Study coordinator: Yamila I Carmona

Conditions Depression; Major Depressive Disorder; Major Depression; Biomarker; AMPA Antagonist; Magnetoencephalography; Neuropharmacology; Neurobiology