December 23, 2024

Ketamine Is Showing Increasing Promise in Treating Depression, but Major Questions Remain

“These individuals are very representative of the sickest clients we see, with more than 80% reporting suicidality that would have excluded them from other anxiety treatment studies,” stated University of Michigan Health psychiatrist and research study leader Sagar Parikh, M.D.”As in other research studies of ketamine, the preliminary response to treatment was a strong predictor of who would do well,” he added. Thats a key focus of Bio-K, which is moneyed by donors to the U-M Eisenberg Family Depression Center.By studying particles in blood samples from the research studys participants, the Bio-K group hopes to discover biomarkers that could anticipate who is most likely to get relief from ketamine, and who ought to attempt other options.The research study is assessing cell signaling proteins, inflammatory markers, and molecules that can suggest rates of cell metabolic process in mitochondria. Theyll then receive that treatment for about 4 weeks, and have their signs kept an eye on throughout treatment and for months afterward.Such a head-to-head study might help notify insurance companies that have not yet begun covering one or both kinds of ketamine, Parikh noted.More about the Bio-K resultsIn the meantime, the treatment action results from the Bio-K research study and other research studies can help more clinicians and clients comprehend the impact of IV ketamine.Bio-K involves U-M, Johns Hopkins University, and the Mayo Clinic, as well as the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in western Michigan. In all, 67% attained what is considered response, and 52% reached remission.Reference: “Clinical results in the biomarkers of ketamine (Bio-K) research study of open-label IV ketamine for refractory depression” by Sagar V. Parikh, Jennifer L. Vande Voort, Anastasia K. Yocum, Eric Achtyes, Fernando S. Goes, Louis Nykamp, Balwinder Singh, Daniela Lopez-Vives, Cortney E. Sera, Daniel Maixner, Vijay Tarnal, Jennifer Severe, Steven Bartek, Susannah J. Tye, Jose Rico, Cynthia J. Stoppel, Alexis Becerra, LeAnn Smart, Christina R. Miller, Mark A. Frye and William V. Bobo, 22 December 2023, Journal of Affective Disorders.DOI: 10.1016/ j.jad.2023.12.033 The research study was funded by the University of Michigan.

“These participants are very representative of the sickest patients we see, with more than 80% reporting suicidality that would have omitted them from other anxiety treatment research studies,” said University of Michigan Health psychiatrist and study leader Sagar Parikh, M.D.”As in other research studies of ketamine, the initial response to treatment was a strong predictor of who would do well,” he included. Thats an essential focus of Bio-K, which is moneyed by donors to the U-M Eisenberg Family Depression Center.By studying molecules in blood samples from the studys participants, the Bio-K group hopes to find biomarkers that might forecast who is most likely to get relief from ketamine, and who should attempt other options.The study is assessing cell signaling proteins, inflammatory markers, and particles that can indicate rates of cell metabolic process in mitochondria. In all, 67% accomplished what is considered response, and 52% reached remission.Reference: “Clinical results in the biomarkers of ketamine (Bio-K) study of open-label IV ketamine for refractory anxiety” by Sagar V. Parikh, Jennifer L. Vande Voort, Anastasia K. Yocum, Eric Achtyes, Fernando S. Goes, Louis Nykamp, Balwinder Singh, Daniela Lopez-Vives, Cortney E. Sera, Daniel Maixner, Vijay Tarnal, Jennifer Severe, Steven Bartek, Susannah J. Tye, Jose Rico, Cynthia J. Stoppel, Alexis Becerra, LeAnn Smart, Christina R. Miller, Mark A. Frye and William V. Bobo, 22 December 2023, Journal of Affective Disorders.DOI: 10.1016/ j.jad.2023.12.033 The research study was funded by the University of Michigan.