AzTrials
AzTrials

Treatment Resistant DepressionPhase 4NCT01935115

Comparing Ketamine and Propofol Anesthesia for Electroconvulsive Therapy

A Phase 4 study testing Propofol and Ketamine in people with Treatment Resistant Depression, run by University of Saskatchewan at 1 site in Canada.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

To determine the effect of ketamine, compared to propofol, when used an an anesthetic agent for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Treatment Resistant Depression
What is being tested?
Propofol and Ketamine
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
27 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
Sep 2013to Mar 2016
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Fulfill the diagnostic criteria for major depression according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (most recent edition)
  • Failure to respond to at least 2 adequate drug therapies for the current depression episode
  • MADRS score of 20 or above (moderate - severe
  • ASA physical status classification I to III

Who cannot join

  • Inability to obtain informed consent
  • ASA physical status classification IV
  • Complication by any serious physical diseases such as cardiovascular disease (including untreated HTN), respiratory disease, cerebrovascular disease, intracranial HTN (including glaucoma), or seizures
  • Presence of foreign body (including pacemaker)
  • Pregnancy
  • Allergies to anesthetics used in study Includes: a) Ketamine b) Propofol c) Eggs d) Egg products e) Soybeans f) Soy products

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site
  • Royal University Hospital

    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0W8

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: A Prospective Randomized Double Blinded Control Trial Using Ketamine or Propofol Anesthesia for Electroconvulsive Therapy: Improving Treatment-Resistant Depression

To determine the effect of ketamine, compared to propofol, when used an an anesthetic agent for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). We hypothesize that ketamine, compared to propofol, will improve the the symptoms of MDD when used as the anesthetic agent to facilitate ECT. Additionally, we hypothesize the dissociative and cardiovascular effects of ketamine will be minimal.

Read the detailed description

Treatment resistant depression is a common and disabling condition. The delayed onset of action and side effects exhibited by oral antidepressants are significant limitations. An alternative and well-established therapy is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT has rapid antidepressant effect beginning with the completion of the first session. Nevertheless, like oral medications, patients treated with ECT can develop treatment resistance or failure to respond. There is great need for a novel approach to treatment-resistant depression; one that that is safe, has rapid onset, and is sustained.

Pharmaceutical agents with rapid antidepressant effects are a new and promising paradigm in the research for treatment of MDD. A potential therapeutic target is glutamate based signal transmission because glutamate transmission is abnormally regulated in the limbic/cortical areas of many depressed people. Glutamatergic modulating agents, in particular ketamine, have been shown to induce rapid antidepressant effects both in both preclinical models and humans. Additionally, ketamine has been shown to have persistent antidepressive effect.

Presently worldwide, propofol is one of the most commonly used anesthetic agents for ECT. There are 2 main disadvantages to this practice. First, propofol has no antidepressive effect. Second, propofol is a potent anticonvulsant that may worsen the quality of the ECT induced seizures. A recent open-label trial compared ketamine to propofol for anesthesia during ECT and demonstrated a significant improvement of depression in the ketamine arm. Ketamine is routinely used to provide safe general anesthesia as well as procedural sedation, analgesia, and amnesia. The combination of the intrinsic antidepressant effects of ketamine with electroconvulsive therapy is a promising concept in clinical research.

This study will include planned interim analysis to ensure patients safety. This analysis will be performed by a statistician who is blinded to group allocation after 20 and after 40 patients. An independent safety committee will informed of the results of the interim analysis including side effects and complications and will have the option to adjust the drug dosage or to discontinue the trial.

Being tested
Propofol, Ketamine
Keywords
Depression, MDD, Treatment Resistant Depression, Electroconvulsive Therapy, ECT, Ketamine, Propofol, NMDA
Medical subject headings
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Depression

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PropofolDrug

    Also called Diprivan

    Propofol anesthesia for ECT

  • KetamineDrug

    Also called Ketalar

    Ketamine anesthesia for ECT

Study groups in NCT01935115
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PropofolActive comparatorThe control group will receive propofol 1 mg/kg and remifentanil 1 mcg/kg intravenously
Receives: Drug: Propofol
KetamineExperimentalStudy group will receive ketamine 0.75 mg/kg and remifentanil 1 mcg/kg intravenously
Receives: Drug: Ketamine

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The primary outcome is defined as the number of ECT treatments required to reach a 50% reduction in baseline MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale) score.

    Standard of care for ECT in the Saskatoon Health Region are biweekly sessions for a total of 8 treatments. Occasionally, a patient meets early remission and may not require the full 8 treatments and may be eligible for early withdrawal.

    Measured: After 8 treatments or completion of therapy for an expected average of 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. Change in CADSS (Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale)

    The CADSS is used to assess states of clinical dissociation; a potential side effect of ketamine. A baseline CADSS will be obtained one day prior to start of ECT. Additional scores will be assessed 30 minutes after each therapy as well as one day post-therapy on the ward.

    Measured: 30 minutes after each ECT session and one day after each ECT session for an expected average of 4 weeks

  2. Change in ALS-18 (Affective Lability Scale)

    A baseline ALS-18 score will be obtained. 30 days after completion of therapy, another score will be collected.

    Measured: 30 days after final ECT session for an expected average duration of 2 months

  3. Change in ECT energy settings and seizure quality

    We will document energy settings used by the psychiatrist as well as duration and quality of seizures achieved.

    Measured: Within 30 minutes of each treatment for an expected average of 4 weeks

  4. Hemodynamic instability and respiratory complications

    Any hemodynamic or respiratory instability requiring unanticipated intervention will be recorded as well as the treatment for the event recorded. Type of intervention will also be documented.

    Measured: 1 hour after each ECT for an expected average of 4 weeks

  5. Time to discharge

    Total time spend in the post-anesthetic recovery unit will be recorded.

    Measured: 1 hour after each treatment for an expected average of 4 weeks

  6. Change in MADRS score

    A baseline MADRS score will be conducted one day prior to ECT. Additional scores will be obtained one day after each ECT session. A final MADRS score will be assessed 30 days after completion of ECT.

    Measured: 24 hours after each treatment and 30 days after final treatment for an expected average of 2 months

  7. The number of ECT sessions required to achieve depression remission (MADRS ≤10)

    Standard of care for ECT in the Saskatoon Health Region are biweekly sessions for a total of 8 treatments. Occasionally, a patient meets early remission and may not require the full 8 treatments and may be eligible for early withdrawal.

    Measured: Number of ECT treatments to achieve depression remission (MADRS) or completion of therapy up to 4 weeks

  8. The proportion of depressed patients (MADRS > 20) at 30 days after the last ECT session

    The proportion of patients in each group who have severe depression 30 days after their last ECT session. This is a measure of longer term efficacy of treatment effect.

    Measured: 30 days after the last ECT session, up to 60 days after ECT initiation.

  9. Change in systolic blood pressure

    Increases or decreases in baseline systolic blood pressure at any point during the anesthetic care will be categorically recorded as minimal change (20 - 50 mm Hg from baseline) and significant change (more than 50 mm Hg from baseline)

    Measured: During ECT, up to 8 treatments or 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Sep 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study startSep 2013
  3. Primary completionMar 2016
  4. Study completionMar 2016

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
27 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01935115
Sponsor's protocol ID
UofSKetamine-01
Status last verified
Sep 2017
First submitted
26 Aug 2013
Last updated
13 Sep 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Zarate CA Jr, Singh JB, Carlson PJ, Brutsche NE, Ameli R, Luckenbaugh DA, Charney DS, Manji HK. A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 Aug;63(8):856-64. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856.

    PubMed 16894061
  • Berman RM, Cappiello A, Anand A, Oren DA, Heninger GR, Charney DS, Krystal JH. Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. Biol Psychiatry. 2000 Feb 15;47(4):351-4. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00230-9.

    PubMed 10686270
  • Zarate CA Jr, Brutsche NE, Ibrahim L, Franco-Chaves J, Diazgranados N, Cravchik A, Selter J, Marquardt CA, Liberty V, Luckenbaugh DA. Replication of ketamine's antidepressant efficacy in bipolar depression: a randomized controlled add-on trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Jun 1;71(11):939-46. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.12.010. Epub 2012 Jan 31.

    PubMed 22297150
  • Diazgranados N, Ibrahim L, Brutsche NE, Newberg A, Kronstein P, Khalife S, Kammerer WA, Quezado Z, Luckenbaugh DA, Salvadore G, Machado-Vieira R, Manji HK, Zarate CA Jr. A randomized add-on trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Aug;67(8):793-802. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.90.

    PubMed 20679587
  • Okamoto N, Nakai T, Sakamoto K, Nagafusa Y, Higuchi T, Nishikawa T. Rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy of treatment-resistant depression: comparing ketamine and propofol anesthesia. J ECT. 2010 Sep;26(3):223-7. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0b013e3181c3b0aa.

    PubMed 19935085
  • Wang X, Chen Y, Zhou X, Liu F, Zhang T, Zhang C. Effects of propofol and ketamine as combined anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depressive disorder. J ECT. 2012 Jun;28(2):128-32. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0b013e31824d1d02.

    PubMed 22622291
  • Vekhova KA, Namiot ED, Jonsson J, Schioth HB. Ketamine and Esketamine in Clinical Trials: FDA-Approved and Emerging Indications, Trial Trends With Putative Mechanistic Explanations. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2025 Feb;117(2):374-386. doi: 10.1002/cpt.3478. Epub 2024 Oct 20.

    PubMed 39428602
  • Gamble JJ, Bi H, Bowen R, Weisgerber G, Sanjanwala R, Prasad R, Balbuena L. Ketamine-based anesthesia improves electroconvulsive therapy outcomes: a randomized-controlled study. Can J Anaesth. 2018 Jun;65(6):636-646. doi: 10.1007/s12630-018-1088-0. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

    PubMed 29700801

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Propofol and Ketamine in people with Treatment Resistant Depression, run by University of Saskatchewan at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Sep 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The primary outcome is defined as the number of ECT treatments required to reach a 50% reduction in baseline MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale) score. (time frame: After 8 treatments or completion of therapy for an expected average of 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01935115, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Sep 2017.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in