Could online therapy plus ketamine rapidly curb suicidal thoughts?
NCT ID NCT06480500
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing whether combining internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (i-CBT) with intravenous ketamine can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with treatment-resistant depression. All 110 participants will receive weekly i-CBT for 13 weeks, and half will also get six infusions of ketamine (the other half get a control drug, midazolam). The goal is to see if the combo works faster and better than i-CBT alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ketamine hydrochloride
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could provide a fast-acting, scalable treatment to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with hard-to-treat depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 2 trial with only 110 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Ketamine can cause side effects like dissociation and nausea, and the added benefit over i-CBT alone is not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 110 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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21 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provide written, voluntary informed consent prior to study enrollment. Substitute decision makers will not be allowed to consent to study on a potential patient's behalf. 2. Male or female between the age of 21 to 65, inclusive. 3. Meets DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) without psychotic features. Diagnosis will be confirmed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) conducted by a delegated physician or trained research study staff. 4. Must present with a moderate to severe depressive episode, as determined by the MADRS score greater than 21. 5. Must be at risk for suicide, operationalized as a response of 'yes' to items 1 or 2 on the Suicidal Ideation subscale or 'yes to any item of the Suicidal Behaviour subscale on the C-SSRS. 6. Current MDE has inadequate response to two or more adequate first-line treatment trials for MDD, as per the 2016 CANMAT Depression Guidelines. 7. Access to reliable internet for the entire study period and an internet-based device (i.e., a smartphone, laptop, desktop or tablet). 8. Must have the ability to speak and read English. This is due to the i-CBT modules only being offered in English presently. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Currently has symptoms of mania or hypomania or mixed state bipolar, as determined by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score greater than 12. 2. Current symptoms of psychosis or a substance use disorder within the past 3 months. Past history of psychotic features during a mood episode will not be excluded. Other secondary psychiatric comorbidities (e.g. anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, etc.) will not be excluded. 3. Lifetime history of a primary psychotic disorder (including, but not limited to, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder). 4. Lifetime history of ketamine use disorder. 5. History of neurological disorders (including, but not limited to, uncontrolled seizure disorder, history of stroke within past 12 months, major head injuries, aneurysmal vascular disease \[including thoracic and abdominal aorta, intracranial, and peripheral arterial vessels\], arteriovenous malformation, or intracerebral hemorrhage). 6. Presence a relative or absolute contraindication to ketamine or midazolam, including a drug allergy, stroke history, uncontrolled hypertension, low or labile blood pressure (as defined by a baseline systolic blood pressure \> 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \> 90 mmHg), recent myocardial infarction within past 12 months, cardiac arrhythmia, severe coronary artery disease, heart failure or moderate to severe hepatic impairment (defined as a Child-Pugh score of B or C) or severe renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 45 milliliters/min). 7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who intend to get pregnant. Patients who are sexually active must agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method. 8. Use of prohibited concomitant medications, which includes other forms of ketamine including racemic ketamine and esketamine, benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, stimulants or medical cannabis of any form. All other medications will be permitted. 9. Currently receiving CBT or CBT-related interventions (e.g., Dialectical Behavioural Therapy). 10. Changes in medication or non-CBT psychotherapy one month prior to study enrollment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Toronto General Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, Canada
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- Can pairing ketamine with talk therapy beat depression alone?
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