5.3 Ketamine Across the Lifespan: An Emerging Treatment for Depression and Suicidality

Approximately 25% of adolescents experience a major depressive episode. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15 –24 years. Effective treatments for adolescents include pharmacotherapy with SSRIs and specific psychotherapies. However, these treatments are not effective for many patients, and their therapeutic action is typically delayed when they work. In this session, attendees will do the following: 1) und erstand the evidence base for the use of ketamine, a novel rapid-acting antidepressant, in adult depressive disorders and suicidal ideation; 2) become familiar with initial evidence examining ketamine’s efficacy and tolerability in adolescent depression; and 3) develop confidence in identifying pa tients across the lifespan who may be appropriate for ketamine referral.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research