Exploring the therapeutic uses of ketamine
The drug could be a game changer in the treatment of mental illness

Date:
March 18, 2022
Source:
University of British Columbia Okanagan campus
Summary:
First manufactured more than 50 years ago, ketamine is a fast-acting
dissociative anesthetic often used in veterinary and emergency
medicine.

Ketamine also has a history of being an illicit party drug. Now,
ketamine is getting a closer look.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== First manufactured more than 50 years ago, ketamine is a fast-acting dissociative anesthetic often used in veterinary and emergency medicine.

Ketamine also has a history of being an illicit party drug.


==========================================================================
Now, ketamine is getting a closer look.

Researchers from UBC Okanagan and the University of Exeter have identified ketamine as a potentially powerful tool in the fight against mental
illness.

In a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry,
the research team found ketamine to have significant anti-depressant
and anti-suicidal effects. They also found evidence that suggests its
benefits don't stop there.

Led by Psychology Professor Dr. Zach Walsh and doctoral student Joey
Rootman - - both based in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences -- the research team arrived at this conclusion after
analyzing more than 150 worldwide studies on the effects of sub-anesthetic ketamine doses for the treatment of mental illness. The study was co-led
by Professor Celia Morgan and doctoral student Merve Mollaahmetoglu from
the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

"We found strong evidence that indicates ketamine provides rapid and
robust anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects, but the effects were relatively short-lived," explains Rootman. "However, repeated dosing
appeared to have the potential to increase the duration of positive
effects." Beyond these results, the study provides evidence that
suggests ketamine may be helpful in the treatment of other disorders,
including eating disorders, problematic substance use, post-traumatic
stress and anxiety -- though the evidence in these areas is scarce.



========================================================================== "What our research provides is an up-to-date overview and synthesis of
where the knowledge on ketamine is at right now," explains Rootman. "Our results signal that ketamine may indeed have a broader spectrum of
potential applications in psychiatric treatment -- and that tells us
that more investigation is needed." This study serves as a foundation
for fellow researchers looking to design ketamine-related projects and
offers valuable data for clinicians considering using ketamine with
their patients.

The results also help to satisfy the public's appetite for information on innovative and emerging psychiatric treatments, says Dr. Walsh, explaining
the review provides a relatively compact document with evidence regarding
which ketamine treatments may be helpful for diverse diagnoses.

"As many as one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness
this year, and the reality is that existing treatments don't work for everyone," he says.

"As a result, many Canadians are curious about new approaches to help
with these serious conditions." Overall, while Dr. Walsh acknowledges
research into other treatment areas is just beginning, he finds the
preliminary evidence encouraging.

"We need a lot more information on how these interventions could work
-- for example, administering the drug is only a part of treatment. We
need to figure out what amount and type of psychotherapy would best
compliment the drug intervention to really maximize potential benefits,"
he explains. "With that being said, it is a truly exciting time for
ketamine research. If it can deliver the relief that early evidence
suggests it can, this could be among the most significant developments
in mental health treatment in decades."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_British_Columbia_Okanagan_campus. Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Zach Walsh, Ozden Merve Mollaahmetoglu, Joseph Rootman, Shannon
Golsof,
Johanna Keeler, Beth Marsh, David J. Nutt, Celia
J. A. Morgan. Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and
substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review. BJPsych
Open, 2021; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1192/ bjo.2021.1061 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220318161446.htm

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