Testing ketamine for suicidal thoughts in adults with depression
Tests ketamine infusions to reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with depression.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Understanding and Treating Suicidal Ideation With Ketamine
Key facts
- Where
- Ottawa, CanadaSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT06891300, who can take part
Where in Canada
- Royal Ottawa Mental Health CentreOttawa, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research
- Trial code
- NCT06891300
- Record updated
- 9 November 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to treat active suicidal ideation in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using ketamine and to understand suicidal ideation by examining biological mechanisms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and psychological mechanisms through validated clinical scales and qualitative interviews. The main questions it aims to answer are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Understanding and Treating Suicidal Ideation With Ketamine: A Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
The goal of this clinical trial is to treat active suicidal ideation in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using ketamine and to understand suicidal ideation by examining biological mechanisms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and psychological mechanisms through validated clinical scales and qualitative interviews. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Will ketamine will reduce suicidal ideation in a significant proportion of study participants? 2. Will reduction in suicidal ideation will be accompanied by rapid changes in neuroimaging biomarkers?
Participants will receive four intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions administered twice weekly for two weeks. Participants will undergo two identical MRI scans: 1) within 48 hours prior to starting ketamine treatment, and 2) 24 hours after the fourth ketamine infusion. Suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms will be assessed prior to each imaging session alongside additional self-report measures. Qualitative interviews will occur within 72 hours after the fourth ketamine treatment.
Inclusion: English speaking; Ages 18-65 years old; Suicidal ideation severity score ≥3 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (Baseline/Screening version) at Screening Visit ("active suicidal ideation with any methods"); Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5); Willing to maintain stable doses of concomitant medications throughout the study; Be under the care of a designated health care provider (i.e., family physician or psychiatrist) to follow their care after the completion of the study.
Exclusion: Concurrent use of ketamine in any form; Concurrent active ECT or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy; Participants not medically cleared to receive ketamine treatment due to presence of clinically relevant disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, renal or hepatic impairment, significant coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder); Known or suspected hypersensitivity or intolerance to ketamine; History of significant head injury including loss of consciousness >5 minutes; History of a primary psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia), or current or recent (<2 years) acute episode of psychosis; Body mass index (BMI) ≥35; Current and/or recent history (<12 months) of substance use/dependence (except for caffeine or nicotine) or problematic current alcohol use or dependence as defined by DSM-5 criteria; Pregnant, breastfeeding or of childbearing potential and unwilling to use an approved method of contraception during the study; Any MRI contraindications.