Ketamine Augmentation of ECT in Treatment-Resistant Depression

The Additive Effect of Ketamine in Combination With ElectroConvulsive Stimulation (ECS) in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): a Translational Study

Ketamine Augmentation of ECT in Treatment-Resistant Depression (NCT07088380) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Resistant Depression, sponsored by Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

About This Trial

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the additive effect of intravenous ketamine in combination with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). The study aims to determine whether ketamine enhances the antidepressant efficacy of ECT and reduces associated cognitive side effects. Thirty hospitalized patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant MDD will be randomized to receive either ketamine or placebo (saline) during ECT sessions 2, 4, and 6. Primary outcome is the change in depressive symptoms, measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at 4 weeks.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Major Depressive Disorder, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 30 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Male and female subjects ages 18-70, - diagnosed with MDD (according to SCID5-CV interview) - treatment resistant (defined as at least 2 different antidepressant agents used without success), - ability to give willing to sign a consent form, - adequacy of the score for anesthesia. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Chronic neurological diseases, - Intellectual disability - Contraindications to the electroconvulsive therapy (severe aortic valve stenosis, implantable cardiac defibrillators, uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant respiratory, renal or hepatic disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, endocrine disorders, neuromuscular diseases, space occupying brain lesions, stroke in the last 6 months), - Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder or Substance Abuse history in the past year, - Pregnancy and lactation - Cardiovascular conditions, - Psychiatric Disorders, - Hepatic impairment, - Participants with a known hypersensitivity to ketamine or any of its excipients will be excluded from the study, - Participants with any contraindications to the use of ketamine, such as a history of severe cardiovascular conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, significant arrhythmias), intracranial hypertension, or severe liver impairment, will also be excluded to prevent potential adverse events. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female subjects ages 18-70, * diagnosed with MDD (according to SCID5-CV interview) * treatment resistant (defined as at least 2 different antidepressant agents used without success), * ability to give informed consent, * adequacy of the score for anesthesia. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic neurological diseases, * Intellectual disability * Contraindications to the electroconvulsive therapy (severe aortic valve stenosis, implantable cardiac defibrillators, uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant respiratory, renal or hepatic disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, endocrine disorders, neuromuscular diseases, space occupying brain lesions, stroke in the last 6 months), * Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder or Substance Abuse history in the past year, * Pregnancy and lactation * Cardiovascular conditions, * Psychiatric Disorders, * Hepatic impairment, * Participants with a known hypersensitivity to ketamine or any of its excipients will be excluded from the study, * Participants with any contraindications to the use of ketamine, such as a history of severe cardiovascular conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, significant arrhythmias), intracranial hypertension, or severe liver impairment, will also be excluded to prevent potential adverse events.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Ketamine Hydrochloride

Ketamine will be administered intravenously at a subanesthetic dose of 0.5 mg/kg after a bolus of Propofol, during ECT sessions 2, 4, and 6.

DRUG

Placebo

Placebo will be administered intravenously at a subanesthetic dose of 0.5 mg/kg after a bolus of Propofol, during ECT sessions 2, 4, and 6.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele Turro

Milan, Italy

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07088380), the sponsor (Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT07088380 clinical trial studying?

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the additive effect of intravenous ketamine in combination with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). The study aims to determine whether ketamine enhances the antidepressant efficacy of ECT and reduces associated cognitive side effects. Thirty hospitalized patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant MDD will be randomized to receive either ketamine or placebo (saline) during ECT sessions 2, 4, and 6. Primary outcome is the change in depressiv… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT07088380?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT07088380?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07088380. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07088380. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.