The Effect of Ketamine on Aesthetics and Role for Antidepressant Effects
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2025-02-28
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The aim of this study is to assess the impact of ketamine on aesthetic perception and
processing. This study assesses the role of these effects in facilitating ketamine's
antidepressant properties, with a focus on anhedonia. To address this aim, 25 patients with
major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls will be assessed twice with magnetic
resonance imaging, once after administration of intravenous ketamine (subanesthetic dose) and
once after administration of placebo.This study has a single-center, placebo-controlled,
cross-over study design. During MRI, structural, resting state, and functional imaging will
be performed. Functional imaging will comprise aesthetic processing, reward, and sexual
arousal paradigms. In addition, various neuropsychological scales assessing depressive
symptoms, anhedonia, and aesthetic processing will be performed. Eligibility for
participation will be assessed during a screening visit, a follow up visit will end study
participation.