Trial reportTrends in psychiatry and psychotherapy2023
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels following ketamine and esketamine intervention for treatment-resistant depression: secondary analysis from a randomized trial.
Trial report in Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effects of psychoplastogens on blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Molecular psychiatry · 2025Pooled it
- The effects of ketamine and classic hallucinogens on neurotrophic and inflammatory markers in unipolar treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review of clinical trials.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2023Pooled it
- The Mechanisms Behind Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine: A Systematic Review With a Focus on Molecular Neuroplasticity.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Pooled it
- Esketamine for Postoperative Anxiety After Major Abdominal Tumor Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026Trial
- Clinical evaluation of adjunctive magnesium therapy in patients receiving antidepressants for depression-open label, nonrandomized clinical trial.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Article
- Neurotrophin System as a Complex Set of Potential Biomarkers in Psychiatric Disorders and Therapy-Overview of Recent Advances.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Psychedelics in treatment-resistant depression: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, clinical evidence, and recommendations.Neuropsychiatrie : Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Rehabilitation : Organ der Gesellschaft Osterreichischer Nervenarzte und Psychiater · 2026Review
- Mechanisms Underlying Treatment-Resistant Depression: Exploring Sex-Based Biological Differences.Journal of neurochemistry · 2025Review
- Beyond NMDA Receptors: A Narrative Review of Ketamine's Rapid and Multifaceted Mechanisms in Depression Treatment.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Variations in BDNF and Their Role in the Neurotrophic Antidepressant Mechanisms of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Personalized use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression.Translational psychiatry · 2024Review
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
20 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesEvidence suggests that ketamine's influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
methodsParticipants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards.
resultsThere were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms.
conclusionThere was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels - neither with ketamine nor esketamine - despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion.
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Registered trials
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