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NMDA Receptor Antagonist

Ketamine + Buprenorphine for Depression (AFSP Trial)

Phase 3
Recruiting
Research Sponsored by Stanford University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Male or female, 18 to 70 years of age, inclusive, at screen.
Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), single or recurrent, and currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) of at least eight weeks in duration, prior to screening, according to the criteria defined in the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision(DSM-IV-TR™). The diagnosis of MDD will be made by a site psychiatrist and supported by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR™ (SCID-I/P).
Must not have
Female of childbearing potential who is not willing to use one of the specified forms of birth control during the study.
Female that is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Timeline
Screening 14 days
Treatment 6 weeks
Follow Up 6 weeks
Awards & highlights
All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Approved for 5 Other Conditions
Pivotal Trial

Summary

This trial will test whether ketamine followed by buprenorphine is more effective than ketamine followed by placebo in reducing suicidal thoughts.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 18-70 with Major Depressive Disorder currently in a depressive episode of at least 8 weeks, who haven't responded well to two different antidepressants for this episode. They must be generally healthy and women must use effective birth control or be non-childbearing. People with certain physical conditions, drug abuse history, or other mental health disorders are excluded.
What is being tested?
The study is testing if ketamine followed by buprenorphine is more effective than ketamine followed by a placebo in reducing suicidal thoughts quickly and for an extended period. Participants will receive intravenous infusions over approximately 2.5 years.
What are the potential side effects?
Ketamine may cause disorientation, dizziness, nausea, increased blood pressure and heart rate changes shortly after administration. Buprenorphine can lead to symptoms like constipation, headache, nausea, sleepiness and potential dependency.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am between 18 and 70 years old.
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I have been diagnosed with major depression and currently have depression that has lasted for at least 8 weeks.
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I am between 18 and 70 years old.
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I have been diagnosed with major depression and have been feeling depressed for at least 8 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am not willing to use specified birth control methods during the study.
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I am currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
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I am not pregnant, as confirmed by a test.
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I have a history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, or psychosis during depression.
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I have a long-term lung condition.
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I have never had brain surgery, serious brain infections, major brain disorders, or significant head trauma in the last 2 years.

Timeline

Screening ~ 14 days
Treatment ~ 6 weeks
Follow Up ~6 weeks
This trial's timeline: 14 days for screening, 6 weeks for treatment, and 6 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale total scores will be analyzed as the measure using analysis of variance model for repeated measures.
Secondary study objectives
The investigators will assess opioid activity of ketamine as well as buprenorphine
Other study objectives
Pupillometry
Serum prolactin level

Awards & Highlights

All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Therapies where all constituent drugs have already been approved are likely to have better-understood side effect profiles.
Approved for 5 Other Conditions
This treatment demonstrated efficacy for 5 other conditions.
Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: KetamineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Every eligible participant will receive 0.5mg/kg IV given over 40 minutes
Group II: Buprenorphine or PlaceboActive Control2 Interventions
Buprenorphine or placebo once daily for 4 weeks
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Ketamine
FDA approved

Find a Location

Logistics

Other reimbursement is provided

Other forms of reimbursement are provided for this trial.

Who is running the clinical trial?

Stanford UniversityLead Sponsor
2,469 Previous Clinical Trials
17,501,687 Total Patients Enrolled
109 Trials studying Depression
93,866 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Alan F. SchatzbergStudy DirectorStanford University

Media Library

Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04116528 — Phase 3
Depression Research Study Groups: Ketamine, Buprenorphine or Placebo
Depression Clinical Trial 2023: Ketamine Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04116528 — Phase 3
Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04116528 — Phase 3
Depression Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04116528 — Phase 3
~11 spots leftby Nov 2025