Ketamine shows promise for teen depression in small trial

NCT ID NCT05045378

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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.

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan

Taipei, 112, Taiwan

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