brexpiprazole + ketamine

This combination therapy involves the co-administration of brexpiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic, and intranasal ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist. Brexpiprazole acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and an antagonist at 5-HT2A receptors, while ketamine blocks glutamate activity via NMDA receptor inhibition. The combination is being investigated by Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder who have treatment-resistant depression (TRD), specifically those who have failed at least two prior antidepressant courses. The study (NCT03149991) evaluates whether adding brexpiprazole to ketamine treatment can safely and effectively improve outcomes in patients with inadequate responses to standard antidepressant therapies.

Other names

Brexpiprazole Plus Ketamineintranasal ketamine + oral brexpiprazole