Work

What about the trip? The relationship between ketamine’s acute and antidepressant effect

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ketamine has been established as a rapid and potent antidepressant. However, despite its groundbreaking efficacy, it has several limitations, including the transient nature of its antidepressant effects following a single infusion, as well as the phenomenology of acute intoxication. This state is characterized by altered consciousness, manifesting as dissociative or psychotomimetic phenomena, along with cardiovascular changes, such as fluctuations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The presentation explores whether these phenomena should be regarded as mere side effects or if they might play a role in ketamine’s antidepressant mechanisms. Furthermore, it addresses the ongoing challenge of identifying clinical and phenomenological predictors of a better antidepressant response. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Source: European Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.85

Author: V. Andrashko

Institutions: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health

Language: English

Topic: Treatment of Major Depression

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,300