ELEKT-D: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) vs. Ketamine in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)

ELEKT-D: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) vs. Ketamine in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)

The goal of the study is to conduct a comparative randomized trial of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs. ketamine for patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD) in a real world setting with patient reported outcomes as primary and secondary outcome measures.

Patients with treatment resistant depression who meet all inclusion criteria and do not meet any exclusion criteria will be randomized to either electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) three times per week or ketamine infusion two times per week. Patients will answer questionnaires about their symptoms prior to treatments. The acute treatment phase of the study will last three to five weeks. Depending on response to treatment, some patients will be followed for an additional six months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent before any study related procedures are performed

2. Inpatients or outpatients referred by their providers for ECT treatment and eligible for ECT treatment

3. Males/females at least 21 years of age but no older than 75 years of age

4. Meet DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Episode as determined by both:

   A. a clinician's diagnostic evaluation and B. confirmed with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 7.0.2)

5. A current depressive episode that has lasted a minimum of 4 weeks

6. Meet all of the following criteria on symptom rating scales at screening:

   A. Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score >20 B. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) of ≤ 5 C. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of ≥18

7. Have had ≥2 adequate trials of antidepressants or augmentation strategies during their lifetime. An adequate trial is defined as 4 weeks of medication at the minimum FDA approved dose. This will be equal to a trial rating of 3 or more.

8. In the opinion of the investigator, the patient is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other trial procedures for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Meet DSM-5 criteria for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, mental retardation, or pervasive developmental disorder
2. Meets any exclusion criteria for ECT or ketamine treatment as described in the clinical guidelines or according to investigator judgment
3. The patient is pregnant or breast feeding
4. The patient has a severe medical illness or severe neurological disorder
5. The patient has a known ketamine allergy or is taking a medication that may interact with ketamine
6. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder with psychotic features during the current depressive episode
7. Unable to give informed consent
8. Was previously enrolled/randomized into the trial