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).

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

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