ECT + ketamine

A combination treatment approach for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) where ketamine is administered as an adjunctive agent during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This combination is studied for its potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy and possibly reduce cognitive side effects associated with ECT. Ketamine is a glutamate antagonist that primarily works by inhibiting N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors while stimulating glutamate release. When used in conjunction with ECT, ketamine can be administered in different ways: 1. As the sole anesthetic agent for ECT 2. In combination with other anesthetics (particularly propofol, forming "ketofol") 3. At subanesthetic doses (typically 0.5 mg/kg) as an adjunctive treatment The theoretical basis stems from ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects and its potential to mitigate cognitive adverse effects of ECT.

Other names

Ketamine augmentation of electroconvulsive therapyKetamine-assisted ECTKetofol ECT