Ketamine as a Rapid Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a debilitating anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive re-experiencing of the traumatic events, avoidance of situations and stimuli that could serve as reminders of these events, and chronic hypervigilance. Patients with PTSD are often also depressed, and many have significant memory impairments. In the present study, we expect a single ketamine infusion to reduce core PTSD symptoms. In addition, in those patients with PTSD who are depressed, we expect ketamine to reduce depressed mood. Finally, ketamine is known to impair memory function. We will also test if the extent of ketamine-induced memory impairment during the infusion can predict how well people do after the infusion. The first patient was randomized at the end of May 09 as recruitment began in March 09. To date, 31 people have been randomized of which 26 have completed study procedures.