Ketamine shows promise for teen depression in small trial
NCT ID NCT05045378
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether low-dose ketamine infusions could quickly reduce depression in teenagers aged 13 to 19 whose depression had not improved with at least two other antidepressants. The trial was small, with only 12 participants, and compared ketamine to a placebo (midazolam). The goal was to see if ketamine could provide rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression in adolescents.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
ketamine
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a fast-acting treatment option for teenagers with depression that hasn't responded to other medications.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-phase study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Ketamine can cause side effects like dizziness or dissociation, and its long-term effects in teens are not well known.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
Taipei, 112, Taiwan