NYC Traumatic Brain Injury Center

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traditional antidepressant medications have limited effectiveness in treating depression after TBI, and can even worsen cognitive and functional outcomes in some cases. Ketamine has emerged as a potential alternative treatment for depression after TBI, based on its rapid onset of action and unique mechanism of action.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used for decades in the field of anesthesia. More recently, it has been investigated for its potential as an antidepressant, particularly for treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain, which leads to an increase in the release of glutamate and activation of other neurotransmitter systems, including the AMPA and mTOR pathways. These changes are thought to lead to a rapid antidepressant effect.

Several studies have investigated the use of ketamine for the treatment of depression after TBI. We have observed that a single infusion of ketamine may significantly improve depression symptoms and quality of life measures, which were sustained for up to two weeks. Many patients have experienced sustained improvements in depression symptoms, anxiety, and cognitive functioning with weekly parenteral ketamine.

Overall, we believe that the use of ketamine for the treatment of depression after TBI is promising.