Growing evidence has supported rapid and robust antidepressant effects with subanesthetic doses of intravenous (IV) ketamine for treatment resistant depression (TRD). However, no completed or ongoing randomized control trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effects of repeated doses of IV ketamine for a homogenous sample of patients with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (TRBD). The primary research goal is to determine the acute antidepressant efficacy, safety and tolerability of four repeated sub-anesthetic doses of IV ketamine in moderate to severe TRBD. Secondary aims include evaluating effects of IV ketamine on suicidal ideations, quality of life, function and duration of effects. Herein, a two-site (University Health Network and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences), phase II, double-blinded, midazolam-controlled, two-week RCT evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of four flexibly-dosed adjunctive ketamine infusions (0.5-0.75mg/kg infused over 40 minutes) for acute treatment of moderate to severe TRBD (type I \& II) is proposed. The primary outcome will be Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores, determining the between group difference in change from baseline to day 14, using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with 14-day MADRS as the outcome and baseline MADRS and stratification variables (sex, bipolar type) as covariates. Secondary outcomes include evaluating response and remission rates, safety, tolerability (including treatment-emergent mania), and effects on suicidality, anxiety, quality of life, function and the duration of effects (to day 28).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
71
36 patients will receive ketamine hydrochloride, over four infusions, flexibly dosed between 0.5 mg/kg to 0.75 mg/kg
36 patients will receive midazolam hydrochloride, over four infusions, flexibly dosed between 0.02 mg/kg to 0.03 mg/kg
Toronto General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto Western Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Change in depression severity using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale measuring depression severity. It consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 (normal) to 6 (severe), for a total possible score of 60. A higher score is indicative of greater depressive severity. Response rates are defined as \> 50% decrease and Remission ≤ 12 actual score.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Recruitment and Retention Rate
The feasibility of ketamine as a treatment in bipolar disorder will be measured by recruitment and retention rates.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Treatment-emergent adverse events will be assessed using patient-reported adverse events.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Suicidality
Suicidality will be assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) which is a clinical assessment used to assess suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour. It measures the incidence of suicidality via "yes" or "no" questions as well as the severity of suicidal ideation if present on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most severe.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Treatment-Emergent Mania
Treatment-emergent mania will be assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) which is a clinical assessment used to evaluate manic symptoms and their severity. It consists of 11 items with a maximum possible score of 60, with higher scores indicating more severe manic symptoms.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Quality of Life (QOL)
Quality of life will be assessed using the Quality of Life-BD (QOL.BD) scale, which contains 56 questions over 12 domains. It uses a 5-component scale that evaluates mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. This scale is numbered from 56 to 280, 280 indicating a high quality of life, while 56 denotes a low quality of life.
Time frame: 4 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.