NeuroKet 2.0: Understanding How Ketamine Changes the Depressed Brain
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Although standard antidepressants and psychological therapies can help many people, a large number do not improve with these treatments.
In recent years, low-dose ketamine has emerged as a fast-acting treatment for depression that does not respond to conventional care. Despite the growing use of ketamine in this way, we still do not fully understand how this treatment works on the brain to reduce depression.
NeuroKet 2.0 is a new study led by researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, aiming to solve this issue.
Investigating the habenula
The study focuses on a small brain region called the habenula, which is involved in reward processing, motivation, and mood regulation. Previous research suggests that altered habenula activity may contribute to depression and that ketamine may help by changing how this part of the brain functions. The small size and deep location of the habenula make it nearly impossible to accurately measure using standard approaches for investigating brain functioning.
Using ultra-high field imaging
The study will use brain imaging to investigate how ketamine changes brain activity in people with difficult-to-treat depression. Participants will complete specialised tasks during MRI scanning designed to investigate reward processing, bodily awareness and responses to bright light, which are all thought to play an important role in depression.
The study will recruit 90 participants, including individuals with difficult-to-treat depression who will receive either low-dose ketamine or placebo treatment in a double-blind design.
Linking brain function to everyday experiences
In addition to neuroimaging, the study incorporates optional passive mobile sensing and actigraphy measures to better understand how changes in brain function may relate to sleep, activity patterns and social engagement in daily life.
Towards personalised treatments for depression
By combining neuroimaging, behavioural science and clinical assessment, NeuroKet 2.0 aims to improve understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in depression and identify biomarkers that may help predict which patients may be most likely to benefit from ketamine treatment in the future.
Study email: neuroket-project@unimelb.edu.au