Abstract
Changes in serum copper concentration are observed in patients with depressive symptoms. Unmet needs in contemporary antidepressant treatment have increased interest in non-monoaminergic antidepressants, such as ketamine, an anaesthetic drug that has demonstrated a rapid antidepressant effect in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The purpose of this study was to examine whether serum copper concentrations change during ketamine treatment and whether there is an association between the copper concentrations and treatment response measured using psychometric scale scores. Moreover, the interlink between somatic comorbidities and copper concentration was studied. Patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder were rated weekly by a clinician using the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Copper level assessments were carried out weekly before the start of ketamine treatment and then after every second infusion and one week after the last ketamine infusion. The serum concentration of copper before ketamine treatment was significantly higher than that after the fifth infusion (p = 0.016), and the serum concentration after the treatment was significantly higher than that after the fifth infusion (p = 0.048). No significant correlations between changes in the copper serum concentrations and MADRS or YMRS were found. The serum copper level was not associated with somatic comorbidities during the course of treatment. This study provides data on the role of copper in short-term intravenous ketamine treatment in TRD, although no clear evidence of a connection between the copper level and treatment response was found.
Highlights
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which can occur in both major depressive disorder (MDD)and bipolar disorder (BP), remains an important psychiatric issue as a number of patients which do not attain remission after being treated following the contemporary standard of care (SOC) [1,2].Unmet needs in contemporary antidepressant treatment have increased interest in non-monoaminergic antidepressants, such as ketamine, an anaesthetic drug that demonstrates antidepressive action in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) [3,4] and is used in psychiatry to promote fast-acting antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects [5]
Recent studies have shown that abnormal copper levels might be associated with depressive symptoms [8]; copper plays an important role in the regulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and the
The study population included individuals enrolled in a naturalistic observational registry protocol for ketamine intravenous infusions given to treat TRD (NCT04226963), which has previously been described in detail elsewhere [13,14]
Summary
Unmet needs in contemporary antidepressant treatment have increased interest in non-monoaminergic antidepressants, such as ketamine, an anaesthetic drug that demonstrates antidepressive action in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) [3,4] and is used in psychiatry to promote fast-acting antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects [5]. Considering the enhanced response compared to that to conventional antidepressant treatment, ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, seems to be a promising drug to treat TRD [6]. Divalent ions, such as copper, are engaged in the function and homeostasis of neurotransmission systems [7]. The hypothesis of interlinkage between copper, ketamine action, and TRD management has little evidence to date, the elaboration of that potential connection is of interest [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
