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Glutamatergic Adaptation to Stress as a Mechanism for Anhedonia and Treatment Response With Ketamine

Description

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ketamine on decision-making and emotion processing in a sample of individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ketamine on decision-making and emotion processing in a sample of individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Glutamatergic Adaptation to Stress as a Mechanism for Anhedonia and Treatment Response With Ketamine

Glutamatergic Adaptation to Stress as a Mechanism for Anhedonia and Treatment Response With Ketamine

Condition
Major Depressive Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * willing and able to give written informed consent
  • * men or women,18-65 years of age
  • * primary diagnosis of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-V MDD, current, as diagnosed by the SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders)
  • * score of ≥20 on the Beck Depression Inventory, which will include patients characterized as having "moderate/severe" (20-28) or "very-severe" (29-63) depressive symptoms
  • * off all antidepressant therapy for at least 8 weeks prior to the baseline visit
  • * willing and able to give written informed consent
  • * men or women, 18-65 years of age
  • * history of any bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
  • * active psychotic symptoms of any type
  • * substance abuse/dependence within 6 months of study entry (as determined by SCID)
  • * unstable cardiovascular, endocrinologic, hematologic, hepatic, renal, or neurologic disease (as determined by physical examination and laboratory testing), including upper respiratory disease or asthma, glaucoma or porphyria.
  • * active suicidal ideation as determined by a score ≥3 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSR)
  • * pregnancy or lactation
  • * use of glucocorticoids at any time during the study
  • * Raynaud's disease that may interfere with the cold-pressor
  • * contraindications for MRI
  • * MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam) score \<28
  • * elevated blood pressure prior to infusion (systolic \> 160 or diastolic \>100)
  • * history of treatment resistance as determined by ATRQ (Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire)
  • * prior adverse reaction to ketamine
  • * use of antipsychotic medications
  • * use of greater than 2mg daily of lorazepam or similar benzodiazipine
  • * evidence of any psychiatric disorder with exception of specific phobia, and no history of any psychiatric disorder except mild past substance use disorder as diagnosed by the SCID-I
  • * history of any substance abuse within the last 6 months
  • * use of any recreational drugs as confirmed by urine drug screen at the time of scanning
  • * pregnancy or lactation
  • * use of glucocorticoids at any time during the study
  • * Raynaud's disease that may interfere with the cold-pressor
  • * contraindications for MRI
  • * MMSE score \<28

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Michael Treadway, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31