Berman RM, et al. Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients

One-paragraph summary

This small placebo-controlled crossover study showed rapid antidepressant effects after a single subanesthetic ketamine infusion, establishing proof of concept that meaningful symptom change could occur on a time scale of hours rather than weeks.

Key findings

• Rapid separation from placebo.
• Opened a glutamatergic and synaptic-plasticity research program.

Limitations

• Very small sample and readily perceptible acute effects.
• Did not establish maintenance or long-term safety.

Why it matters

The study changed the field's time-scale and mechanism assumptions.

Cited by wiki pages

• Ketamine and glutamatergic agents
• Neurobiology and mechanisms