Subanesthetic IV Bolus Ketamine in the Treatment of Acute Depression

The objective of this double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study is to determine whether a single sub-anesthetic rapid IV bolus dose of ketamine administered to acutely depressed patients with or without suicidality has a significant rapid antidepressant effect in the acutely depressed population. The study will pursue as a primary outcome measure whether a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, as assessed by the BSS and BHS, occurs shortly after administration of ketamine at 40, 80, 120, and 240 minutes. A secondary outcome measure will be assessed to determine whether this single infusion of ketamine has a sustained reduction in depressive symptoms within 2-weeks post-infusion with a reduction in BDI score. Suicidal ideation will also be assessed for determination of any reduction and sustained reduction post infusion by assessment of the Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (BSS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at similar intervals.