Clinical TrialTreatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)KetamineCompleted

IV Ketamine Series for MDD/PTSD: Epigenetic Clock and DNA Methylation Study (Wild Health 2024, Lexington KY)

This unregistered trial (n=20) was an open-label, single-arm study of intravenous ketamine infusions for major depressive disorder and PTSD in adults, which found significant reductions in epigenetic age biomarkers and clinical symptom scores.

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Target Enrollment
20 participants
Study Type
interventional
Design
Non-randomized

Detailed Description

This synthetic trial has been added to our database because a psychedelic paper (about a clinical trial) references this trial, but no (live) registration can be found.

The study investigated the effects of a six-infusion course of subanesthetic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) on biological aging and DNA methylation in 20 participants with moderate-to-severe MDD or PTSD. Researchers utilised various epigenetic clocks, including GrimAge V2 and PhenoAge, to assess changes in biological age alongside clinical assessments like the PHQ-9 and PCL-5.

Following the treatment course, participants showed a reduction in clinical symptoms and a notable decrease in epigenetic age as measured by several biomarkers. These findings suggest that ketamine may influence biological aging processes in individuals suffering from these psychiatric conditions.

Study Arms & Interventions

Ketamine infusion series

experimental

Six subanesthetic ketamine infusions over a 2-3 week treatment course.

Interventions

  • Ketamine0.5 mg/kg
    via IV• six infusions over 2-3 weeks• 6 doses total

    Subanesthetic dose

Study Details

Locations

United States

Related Publications

Open AccessindividualPrimary

Ketamine treatment effects on DNA methylation and Epigenetic Biomarkers of aging

This preprint open-label study (n=20) examines the effects of ketamine infusions (35mg/70kg, 6x) on biological ageing markers in individuals with depression (MDD) or PTSD. It finds reductions in epigenetic age as measured by OMICmAge, GrimAge V2, and PhenoAge biomarkers, as well as significant changes in Epigenetic Biomarker Proxies (EBPs) and surrogate protein markers following a 2-3 week treatment course. The study also reports expected decreases in depression and PTSD scores as measured by PHQ-9 and PCL-5.

Published
Journal
MedRvix
Authors
Dawson, K., May, A., Carangan, J. M., Klunder, J., Carreras-Gallo, N., Sehgal, R., Megilligan, S., Askins, B. C., Perkins, N., Mendez, T. L., Smith, R., Dawson, M., Mallin, M., Higgins-Chen, A. T., Dwaraka, V. B.