Work

Body mass index is associated with the antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in patients with depression

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: We aimed to explore the correlation between baseline body mass index (BMI) and the antidepressant properties of intravenous ketamine in patients with depression. Methods: We divided 135 patients diagnosed with either major depressive disorder (n=103) or bipolar depression (n=32) into lower and higher BMI groups based on their baseline BMI. Patients with a lower BMI (BMI<24 kg/m²; n=92) were included in the lower BMI group, and those with a higher BMI (BMI≥24 kg/m²; n=43) were assigned to the higher BMI group. Each participant received six ketamine infusions. Antidepressant remission was determined using a Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; total score of ≤10) within 24 hours after the sixth ketamine infusion on day 13. Antidepressant response was characterized by a ≥50% alleviation in the symptoms of depression at the same time point. Changes in symptoms of depression over time were assessed using a linear mixed model. Results: >0.05). Conclusion: analysis of an open-label, single-arm study suggests that patients with depression and a higher baseline BMI may experience greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with those with a lower baseline BMI after receiving six ketamine infusions.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1498952