A Randomized Controlled Trial to Decrease Suicidal Thinking in a Military Emergency Department
Abstract
Ketamine is best known as an anesthetic agent used for induction or augmentation of general anesthesia. Additional uses of ketamine for mood augmentation have been considered and have shown promise, likely due to dopamine and serotonin reuptake and elevation of norepinephrine. A small study done by Larkin et al. (2010) at Yale University demonstrated benefit for short term resolution of suicidality after a single sub-anesthetic dose of 0.2 mg/kg rapid intravenous bolus with lasting remission out to10 days. This project proposes to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of this, same intervention in military patients recently hospitalized for suicidal thinking. After being assessed, and giving informed consent, participants would receive 0.2mg/kg ketamine or placebo. Their suicidal thinking, depression, and other symptoms would be monitored acutely for 210 min after drug infusion, and for the lasting changes the next day, at hospital discharge, 2 weeks, and 1, 3, and 6 months. Potential adverse events will be monitored for up to 6 months.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1033205
Entities
People
- Daniel Tarman
- Marc Capobianco
- Michael Hann
- Nathaniel Brown
Organizations
- Geneva Foundation