Ketamine vs. ECT: which stops suicidal thoughts faster?

NCT ID NCT06034821

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Disease control Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two treatments—electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and intravenous ketamine—for quickly reversing acute suicidal depression in 1,500 adults aged 18 to 90. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either ECT or ketamine twice a week for up to four weeks. The main goal is to see which treatment reduces suicidal thoughts more effectively and safely.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ketamine (intravenous infusion)
What this could lead to: If this trial succeeds, it could show that ketamine is as good as or better than ECT for quickly stopping suicidal thoughts, offering a less invasive treatment option.
What could go wrong: This is a large Phase 4 study, but it's open-label (no placebo), so results may be biased. Ketamine can cause side effects like dissociation and blood pressure changes, and not everyone may respond.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ACUTE SUICIDAL DEPRESSION (ASD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Center for Addiction and Mental Health (University of Toronto)

Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H4, Canada
Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
McLean Hospital

Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

New York, New York, 10029, United States
UC San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
UTHealth Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States

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