Ketamine for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression: A review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade, ketamine has been studied for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Ketamine is believed to exert its antidepressant properties through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism. METHODS: Study authors completed a literature review of seven randomized controlled trials of ketamine usage in major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. RESULTS: Ketamine demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over placebo or midazolam in major depressive disorder. Ketamine also exhibited a statistically significant improvement over placebo in bipolar depression. DISCUSSION: Ketamine has shown promise in quickly reducing symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression and bipolar depression. Using ketamine may be helpful for patients that have exhausted other therapeutic options.