6.4 Ketamine: An Emerging Treatment for Adolescent Depression

MDD is a significant pediatric health problem, with a point prevalence of up to 8% and a lifetime prevalence approaching 25% by the end of adolescence. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youths age 15 –24 years. Although we currently have several effective pharmacological and psychological treatments for depression, treatments that work better and faster are urgently needed. We plan to review the evidence base for ketamine as an emerging treatment for depression and discuss our experience using ketamine in adolescent populations.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research