Is ketamine effective and safe for treatment-resistant depression?

MAYBE, but it's too soon to tell. There is limited evidence that ketamine by itself is effective in the very short term. Single-dose intravenous (IV) ketamine is more likely than placebo (odds ratio = 11-13) to produce improvement (> 50%) in standardized depression scores in 1 to 3 days, lasting up to a week. Twice- or thriceweekly IV ketamine improves symptom scores by 20%-25% over 2 weeks (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analysis of small, low-quality, randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and a single small RCT).Augmentation of sertraline with daily oral ketamine moderately improves symptom scores for 6 weeks in patients with moderate depression (SOR: B, small, lowquality RCTs).Augmentation of oral antidepressants (duloxetine, escitalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine) with intranasal esketamine spray improves response and remission rates at 4 weeks (16% for both outcomes) in patients with predominantly treatment-resistant major depression (SOR: A, meta-analysis of RCTs).Ketamine therapy is associated with confusion, emotional blunting, headache, dizziness, and blurred vision (SOR: A, metaanalyses).Nasal esketamine spray produces the adverse effects of dizziness, vertigo, and blurred vision severe enough to cause discontinuation in 4% of patients; it also can produce transient elevation of blood pressure (SOR: A, meta-analyses).

Usefulness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a maintenance treatment in patients with major depression.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), venlafaxine or a combination of both treatments as a maintenance treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHODS: In a three-arm open-label study, 66 patients, including 45 remitters, who responded to rTMS (n = 25), venlafaxine (n = 22), or a combination of both treatments (n = 19) continued to receive the treatment that led to a response as a maintenance treatment over 12 months. Maintenance rTMS was administered twice per week for 1 month, once per week for 2 months, and once every 2 weeks for 9 months. Venlafaxine was maintained at the dose that induced a clinical response (150 or 225 mg/day). RESULTS: After the 12-month follow-up, the rates of remitters (HDRS < 8) were not different between the three groups (χ2 = 1.25; P = .3). The rates of patients who not relapsed (HDRS < 15) were not different between groups (χ2 = 0.33; P = .8): 40.0% in the rTMS group, 45.1% in the venlafaxine group and 36.9% in the combination group. CONCLUSIONS: The three maintenance approaches exhibited similar efficacies in relapse prevention and the maintenance of remission in patients with TRD.

Relapse prevention after index electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant depression.

BACKGROUND: One-third of patients who suffer from depression are resistant to conventional treatments. An acute course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can lead to remission of depressive symptoms in a substantial portion of the treatment-resistant patients. However, prevention of relapse with depressive symptoms after the index course of ECT can be challenging. We review pertinent studies on the topic and analyze the best strategies to avoid relapse and recurrence of depressive symptoms. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed through April 2014 for clinical trials published in English to determine if continuation ECT (C-ECT), continuation medication, continuation psychotherapy, or combinations of these are the best strategy to avoid relapse and recurrence of depressive symptoms after an acute course of ECT. Clinical trials comparing ≥2 of the above strategies were included in the review. RESULTS: Although there are few rigorous randomized clinical trials in this area, most studies suggest that combined C-ECT and continuation pharmacotherapy are the most effective strategy in relapse prevention. CONCLUSIONS: C-ECT and continuation pharmacotherapy may be more effective than either alone for preventing relapse. However, more definitive randomized clinical trials are needed.

[Antidepressant effect of ketamine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, in the therapy of treatment-resistant depression]. / Zastosowanie antagonisty receptorów NMDA (N-metylo-D- -asparaginianu)--ketaminy w leczeniu depresji lekoopornej.

Clinical practice and data from literature indicate that up to 30% of the patients suffering from depression meet criteria for treatment-resistant depression. In the past decade, interest in the use of NMDA receptor modulators in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression is increasing. The use of ketamine--an noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptors, allows some patients suffering from treatment resistant depression to achieve rapid and significant improvement. The authors reviewed results of clinical studies, series of cases and case reports on the use of ketamine. Most of the patient suffered from the treatment-resistant major depression. Neurobiological basis of the glutaminergic pathways and the postulated role of glutamate in mood modulation have been described, as well as possible adverse events associated with ketamine infusion. Concerns relate to the optimal dosage, frequency of administration, long-term safety and efficacy of the therapy. Interesting results of the published articles encourage further studies on therapeutic use of NMDA receptor modulators in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression.

O uso da homeopatia como tratamento complementar em mulheres com depressão refratária / The use of Homeopathy as a complementary treatment in women with refractory depression

Este projeto é parte das exigências do percurso da autora como aluna do mestrado em Saúde Coletiva da Unisinos e visa verificar a efetividade da homeopatia aplicada como adjuvante em planos terapêuticos para transtornos psiquiátricos, mais especificamente, as síndromes depressivas. Depressão inclui diversos tipos clínicos e, em seu conjunto, representa grave condição de vulnerabilidade, tanto na perspectiva dos indivíduos afetados, quanto em termos populacionais. Estudo quanti-qualitativo, compreendendo ensaio clínico duplo-cego, randomizado, que avalia a efetividade do emprego da homeopatia como tratamento complementar em depressão refratária e discussões focais de grupo para avaliação subjetiva das pacientes que concluírem o período de seis meses de tratamento. Palavras-chave: depressão refratária. homeopatia. epidemiologia.(AU)