ONE hundred people suffering from severe depression will take part in a major clinical trial to determine if ketamine can help treat the illness. The new trial is being led by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and researchers from Trinity College Dublin. The research is examining the possibility that repeated low-level ketamine infusions, in addition to current inpatient care and antidepressant medication, will improve depression outcomes. Funded by the Health Research Board, the randomised controlled trial will investigate the impact of low-dose ketamine as an additional treatment for people with severe depression. “There’s been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs for treating depression.

Source: Irish Independent July 18, 2021 01:30 UTC