Brain waves may reveal who responds to ketamine for depression in epilepsy
NCT ID NCT07768618
First seen Aug 17, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether a single low-dose ketamine infusion can reduce depressive symptoms in adults with epilepsy who are already undergoing brain monitoring for their seizures. Participants receive one intravenous dose of ketamine while their brain activity is recorded directly from electrodes placed inside the skull. By comparing brain signals and mood assessments before and about 24 hours after the infusion, researchers hope to identify patterns that predict a positive antidepressant response.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a single intravenous infusion of ketamine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could identify brain signals that predict who responds to ketamine for depression, potentially guiding more personalized treatment for people with epilepsy and depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study focused on understanding brain changes rather than proving a treatment works. The results may not apply to all people with epilepsy or depression, and ketamine can have side effects.
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 37 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Dec 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2031
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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18 years and older
- 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: * Admitted to the Emory EMU for clinically indicated sEEG monitoring for epilepsy. * At least mild depressive symptoms at baseline, defined as MADRS ≥7 or BDI-II ≥14. * Electrode coverage that includes midline regions sufficient for enrollment and analyses. * Ability to provide informed consent and to complete bedside tasks/questionnaires in English. * Expected to remain under inpatient monitoring through the planned \~24-hour post-infusion follow-up unless clinical needs dictate otherwise. Exclusion Criteria: * Documented IQ \<70, intellectual disability, severe cognitive impairment, delirium, severe aphasia, or other condition that prevents valid consent or task participation. * Current or past schizophrenia-spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder. * Current manic/hypomanic episode or bipolar-spectrum illness judged by study psychiatrist/investigator to increase risk or confound interpretation. * Active alcohol or substance abuse/dependence within the past 3 months. * Imminent suicide risk or active suicidal intent requiring urgent intervention as determined by clinical assessment. Passive ideation without imminent intent may be considered on a case-by-case basis with psychiatric approval and enhanced monitoring. * Contraindication to subanesthetic ketamine, including uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiovascular disease, aneurysm/vascular malformation or similar condition conferring unacceptable risk, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or other clinically significant medical instability. * Clinical team determination that ketamine administration or study timing would interfere with epilepsy care or perioperative management. * Sedative or other medication exposure at a level that, in the judgment of the clinical team, precludes safe ketamine administration or reliable behavioral assessment (participant may be deferred rather than permanently excluded if the issue resolves).
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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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Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can lavender and lullabies help kids with epilepsy sleep better?
- Reading the Brain's signals to predict who benefits from deep brain stimulation
- Can a Comfort-Focused education program improve life with epilepsy?
- Can a phone app that blocks distracting apps ease depression?
- Can video games rewire young brains after injury?
- High-Fat Diet's effect on epilepsy: scientists track brain signals