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Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Depression
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar II Disorder
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT05004896
Lead Sponsor
Joshua Rosenblat
Brief Summary

Growing evidence has supported rapid and robust antidepressant effects with subanesthetic doses of intravenous (IV) ketamine for treatment resistant depression (TRD). However, no completed or ongoing randomized control trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effects of repeated doses of IV ketamine for a homogenous sample of patients with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (TRBD). The primary research goal is to determine the acute antidepressant efficacy, safety and tolerability of four repeated sub-anesthetic doses of IV ketamine in moderate to severe TRBD. Secondary aims include evaluating effects of IV ketamine on suicidal ideations, quality of life, function and duration of effects. Herein, a two-site (University Health Network and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences), phase II, double-blinded, midazolam-controlled, two-week RCT evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of four flexibly-dosed adjunctive ketamine infusions (0.5-0.75mg/kg infused over 40 minutes) for acute treatment of moderate to severe TRBD (type I \& II) is proposed. The primary outcome will be Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores, determining the between group difference in change from baseline to day 14, using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with 14-day MADRS as the outcome and baseline MADRS and stratification variables (sex, bipolar type) as covariates. Secondary outcomes include evaluating response and remission rates, safety, tolerability (including treatment-emergent mania), and effects on suicidality, anxiety, quality of life, function and the duration of effects (to day 28).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
KetamineKetamine HydrochlorideFour infusions of ketamine will be administered over two weeks. The first two infusions will be dosed at 0.5mg/kg over a period of 40 minutes. For infusions 3 and 4, patients will be flexibly dosed between 0.5 mg/kg to 0.75 mg/kg, depending on clinical response to first two infusions.
MidazolamMidazolam HydrochlorideFour infusions of midazolam will be administered over two weeks. The first two infusions will be dosed at 0.02mg/kg over a period of 40 minutes. For infusions 3 and 4, patients will be flexibly dosed between 0.02 mg/kg to 0.03 mg/kg, depending on clinical response to first two infusions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in depression severity using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)4 weeks

The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale measuring depression severity. It consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 (normal) to 6 (severe), for a total possible score of 60. A higher score is indicative of greater depressive severity. Response rates are defined as \> 50% decrease and Remission \< 12 actual score.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Suicidality4 weeks

Suicidality will be assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) which is a clinical assessment used to assess suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour. It measures the incidence of suicidality via "yes" or "no" questions as well as the severity of suicidal ideation if present on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most severe.

Recruitment and Retention Rate4 weeks

The feasibility of ketamine as a treatment in bipolar disorder will be measured by recruitment and retention rates.

Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events4 weeks

Treatment-emergent adverse events will be assessed using patient-reported adverse events.

Treatment-Emergent Mania4 weeks

Treatment-emergent mania will be assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) which is a clinical assessment used to evaluate manic symptoms and their severity. It consists of 11 items with a maximum possible score of 60, with higher scores indicating more severe manic symptoms.

Quality of Life (QOL)4 weeks

Quality of life will be assessed using the Quality of Life-BD (QOL.BD) scale, which contains 56 questions over 12 domains. It uses a 5-component scale that evaluates mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. This scale is numbered from 56 to 280, 280 indicating a high quality of life, while 56 denotes a low quality of life.

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Toronto Western Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

🇨🇦

Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Toronto General Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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