Repeated Ketamine Infusions for Comorbid PTSD and MDD in Veterans

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common response to trauma; it is associated with poor clinical outcomes and substantial human disability. Veterans with both PTSD and MDD (PTSD+MDD) have been shown to be at much greater suicidal risk than individuals with only one of these disorders. Ketamine given as repeated infusions has been shown to be effective in rapidly reducing PTSD and MDD symptoms in treatment resistant PTSD+MDD individuals. However, knowledge about the mechanisms underlying comorbid PTSD and MDD remain limited. The purpose of this study is to use repeated ketamine infusions as a probe to validate a model of PTSD+MDD that focuses on neuroanatomy and executive functioning.

Detailed Description
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This study is designed to better characterize the neurocognitive and associated functional connectivity mechanisms underlying comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) among veterans. Participants will be male/female veterans (18 to 75 years old) of any era or military background who suffer from chronic PTSD and MDD. Potential participants will be recruited from mental health clinics and screened for eligibility using a two stage process (phone/chart review, followed by interview). Participants with PTSD+MDD will undergo a series of baseline assessments including a baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) then be randomized to receive either 6 ketamine or 6 normal saline infusions on a Monday-Friday schedule over 3 weeks. On the day of infusion, participants will be required to stay at the clinical site for 2 hours after the infusion has been given. They will also be monitored via a phone call on the following day. After the infusion period has been completed participants will undergo a follow-up fMRI then 4 follow-up visits, up to 2 months. Additional participants will be enrolled in healthy control, depression only, and PTSD only groups and will only undergo baseline assessments, including a single fMRI.

Official Title
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Characterization of Comorbid Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Utilizing Ketamine as an Experimental Medicine Probe

Conditions
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Ketamine
* Other: Normal Saline


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: For the PTSD+MDD group, inclusion criteria are: Female/Male veterans 18 to 75 years old Meets DSM-5 criteria for MDD, single or recurrent, moderate-severe without psychotic features Meets DSM-5 criteria for chronic PTSD or subthreshold PTSD [meets criterion A (traumatic event), criterion B (intrusion symptoms), and 2 of the following 3 criteria: C (avoidance symptoms), D (negative alterations in cognitions and mood), or E (marked alterations in arousal and reactivity)] If applicable, 6 weeks of stable antidepressants/augmenting agents Sixth grade reading level Ability to provide consent For the Healthy Controls group, inclusion criteria are: Female/Male veterans 18 to 75 years old Does not meet DSM-5 criteria for MDD, single or recurrent, moderate-severe without psychotic features Does not meet DSM-5 criteria for chronic PTSD or subthreshold PTSD Not on medications for managing a psychiatric indication Sixth grade reading level Ability to provide consent For the Depression-only group, inclusion criteria are: Female/Male veterans 18 to 75 years old Experienced a traumatic event that meets DSM-5 criterion A for a diagnosis of PTSD but does not meet sufficient criteria (B-E) necessary for a diagnosis of PTSD or subthreshold PTSD Meets criteria for MDD, single or recurrent, moderate-severe If applicable, 6 weeks of stable antidepressants/augmenting agents Sixth grade reading level Ability to provide consent For the PTSD-only group, inclusion criteria are: Female/Male veterans 18 to 75 years old Meets DSM-5 criteria for chronic PTSD or subthreshold PTSD [meets criterion A (traumatic event), criterion B (intrusion symptoms), and 2 of the following 3 criteria: C (avoidance symptoms), D (negative alterations in cognitions and mood), or E (marked alterations in arousal and reactivity)] Does not meet DSM-5 criteria for MDD, single or recurrent, moderate-severe without psychotic features If applicable, 6 weeks of stable antidepressants/augmenting agents Sixth grade reading level Ability to provide consent Exclusion Criteria: For the PTSD+MDD group, exclusion criteria are: Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent Moderate/severe cognitive impairment Current or lifetime diagnosis of psychosis-related disorder, bipolar I or II disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, or any mood disorder due to a general medical condition History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury History of comorbid substance disorder within 1 month of screening Prior use of ketamine as an antidepressant Clinically unstable medical illness For women: pregnancy (confirmed by baseline lab test), the initiation of female hormonal treatments within 3 months of screening, or inability or unwillingness to use a medically accepted contraceptive method for the duration of the study Imminent risk of suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or behavior Inability to undergo MRI (i.e. claustrophobia, ferromagnetic implants, etc.) For the Healthy Controls group, exclusion criteria are: Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent Moderate/severe cognitive impairment History of any major medical or psychiatric disorders Current or lifetime diagnosis of psychosis-related disorder, bipolar I or II disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, or any mood disorder due to a general medical condition History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury History of comorbid substance disorder within 1 month of screening Prior use of ketamine as an antidepressant Clinically unstable medical illness For women: pregnancy (confirmed by baseline lab test), the initiation of female hormonal treatments within 3 months of screening, or inability or unwillingness to use a medically accepted contraceptive method for the duration of the study Imminent risk of suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or behavior Inability to undergo MRI (i.e. claustrophobia, ferromagnetic implants, etc.) For the Depression-only group, exclusion criteria are: Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent Moderate/severe cognitive impairment Meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD or subthreshold PTSD Current or lifetime diagnosis of psychosis-related disorder, bipolar I or II disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, or any mood disorder due to a general medical condition History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury History of comorbid substance disorder within 1 month of screening Prior use of ketamine as an antidepressant Clinically unstable medical illness For women: pregnancy (confirmed by baseline lab test), the initiation of female hormonal treatments within 3 months of screening, or inability or unwillingness to use a medically accepted contraceptive method for the duration of the study Imminent risk of suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or behavior Inability to undergo MRI (i.e. claustrophobia, ferromagnetic implants, etc.) For the PTSD-only group, exclusion criteria are: Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent Moderate/severe cognitive impairment Meet DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of MDD, single or recurrent, moderate to severe Current or lifetime diagnosis of psychosis-related disorder, bipolar I or II disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, or any mood disorder due to a general medical condition History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury History of comorbid substance disorder within 1 month of screening Prior use of ketamine as an antidepressant Clinically unstable medical illness For women: pregnancy (confirmed by baseline lab test), the initiation of female hormonal treatments within 3 months of screening, or inability or unwillingness to use a medically accepted contraceptive method for the duration of the study Imminent risk of suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or behavior Inability to undergo MRI (i.e. claustrophobia, ferromagnetic implants, etc.)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Experimental versus Placebo
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intravenous ketamine infusions<br>Six infusions of 0.5 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride solution over 3 weeks. | Drug: Ketamine<br>* Six infusions of intravenous 0.5 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride solution over 3 weeks.<br>* Other names: Ketamine Hydrochloride;|
| Placebo Comparator: Intravenous saline infusions<br>Six infusions of normal saline solution over 3 weeks. | Other: Normal Saline<br>* Six infusions of intravenous normal saline solution over 3 weeks.<br>* Other names: Sodium Chloride in Water;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) | Change in major depressive disorder symptoms over the course of the intervention. | At baseline, 60 minutes pre-infusion, 24 hours post-infusion, and after infusion series up to 2 months. | 
| PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview for DSM-5 (PSS-I-5) | Change in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms over the course of the intervention. | At baseline, 60 minutes pre-infusion, 24 hours post-infusion, and after infusion series up to 2 months. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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ketamine, stress disorders, post-traumatic, stress disorders, traumatic, anxiety disorders, mental disorders, adjuvants, anesthesia, analgesics, anesthetics, anesthetics, dissociative, anesthetics, general, anesthetics, intravenous, excitatory amino acid agents, excitatory amino acid antagonists, hypnotics and sedatives, molecular mechanisms of pharmacological action, neurotransmitter agents, peripheral nervous system agents, pharmacologic actions, physiological effects of drugs, psychotropic drugs, sensory system agents, central nervous system agents, central nervous system depressants, depression, depressive disorder, depressive disorder, treatment-resistant, behavioral symptoms, mood disorders, therapeutic uses