Use of Ketamine in Elderly Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression

Purpose of Review The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the use of ketamine as an antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in the geriatric population. Available treatment options for late-life treatment-resistant depression are limited and include electroconvulsive ther...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current psychiatry reports 2017-12, Vol.19 (12), p.107-107, Article 107
Main Authors: Medeiros da Frota Ribeiro, Carolina, Riva-Posse, Patricio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antidepressants
Geriatric Disorders (W McDonald
Geriatrics
Ketamine
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mental depression
Older people
Psychiatry
Section Editor
Topical Collection on Geriatric Disorders
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Summary:Purpose of Review The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the use of ketamine as an antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in the geriatric population. Available treatment options for late-life treatment-resistant depression are limited and include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation as well as possible pharmacologic augmentation. Ketamine has been shown to be a promising treatment in TRD; however, data regarding the use of ketamine in the elderly includes only five case reports. Recent Findings We discuss the use of ketamine for late-life TRD and present two cases where ketamine led to a significant and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms. Summary Ketamine is a promising treatment for geriatric patients with TRD. Further studies in the elderly will provide valuable insights into the use of ketamine for a population much in need of safe and effective treatments for TRD.
ISSN:1523-3812
1535-1645
DOI:10.1007/s11920-017-0855-x