Ketamine and Perampanel for Treatment-Resistant Depression
This study is looking at how ketamine works to relieve depression in people with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Specifically, it's testing if a specific type of brain receptor, called AMPARs (Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4- Isoxazole Propionic Acid receptors), is essential for ketamine's antidepressant effects. You might be able to join if you are 18 to 60 years old, right-handed, currently have depression with a score over 17 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and your depression hasn't improved with at least one other antidepressant treatment. The study will measure changes in brain activity during ketamine infusion to see if blocking AMPARs with perampanel affects ketamine's antidepressant response. The current recruitment status is unclear.
- Study design
- This study plans to enroll 50 participants. It uses a crossover design where you receive ketamine plus perampanel on one day, and about 21 days later, ketamine plus a placebo.
- What's involved
- You would receive intravenous ketamine and oral perampanel or oral placebo. Your brain activity will be assessed during ketamine infusion (approximately 2.5 hours), and you will have interviews and self-report measures on the infusion day and 24 hours later.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- The effects of the drug combinations are assessed on the infusion day and 24 hours later.
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NCT05915013
Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4- Isoxazole Propionic Acid Receptor Components of the Anti-Depressant Ketamine Response
Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18–60InterventionalBasic scienceYale UniversityInvestigator-initiated
~50 participants
Updated 2026-05-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:KetaminePerampanelPlacebo
At a glance
Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Prefrontal functional connectivity
Measured over During ketamine infusion, approximately 2.5 hours
+1 more outcome measured
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesConnecticut1
Study leadership
- John Krystal, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University Medical School
- Naomi R Driesen, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University Medical School
Who to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion
Right-handed as determined by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Current depression as indicated by a score greater than 17 on the full Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Anti-depressant resistant depressive symptoms, defined by a history of failure of one or more adequate anti-depressant trials
Individuals who have previously received ketamine must have had a positive response. Individuals who report reduced depressive symptoms will be treated as ketamine responders and entered directly into the closed label trial.
Participants will meet DSM-5 Criteria for MDD as determined by the SCID-5
All participants given ketamine must be engaged in treatment outside of the research protocol. Those who are not currently in treatment may be referred for treatment.
Individuals who are receiving pharmacotherapy for depression must have been receiving the current medication and dose for 4 weeks before randomization. In addition, they should have a plan to continue the current regime of pharmacotherapy for the duration of the trial.
Individuals who are receiving psychotherapy must have been in treatment for four weeks and should have a plan to continue the current regime of psychotherapy for the duration of the trial.
Willing to refrain from caffeine, drug and alcohol use for one week prior to each MRI session
Females will be included if they are not pregnant or breastfeeding and agree to utilize a medically accepted birth control method (to include oral, injectable, or implant birth control, condom, diaphragm with spermicide, intrauterine device, tubal ligation, abstinence, or partner with vasectomy). Women who are surgically sterile or post-menopausal with cessation of menses for at least one year are not required to use birth control. If a woman should become pregnant during the study, she will be excluded from the trial.
Females will receive ketamine during the follicular phase, i.e., in the first week after the start of the menstrual period, if at all possible. If a prospective participant typically has significant menstrual cramps during this entire follicular phase, she will be studied during another part of her cycle. She will be studied during the same part of her cycle for each scan, if possible.
Able to read and write English
Have at least a 12th grade education level or equivalent
Exclusion
A score on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale in the "intent" or "intent with plan" categories or judged by Dr. Krystal or Dr. Driesen to be at serious risk for suicide.
Neurological disorder excluding migraine headaches or more than mild head injury. Individuals with migraines will not complete any ketamine infusion visits within 24 hours of a migraine. More than mild head injury is indicated by the presence of any of the following:
More than half hour unconsciousness after trauma
More than one hour post-traumatic amnesia
Concussive symptoms such as headache, memory problems, nausea/vomiting, irritability, ringing in the ears, dizziness, balance problems, difficulty concentrating or visual disturbances lasting more than one week after injury.
Concussive symptoms as defined above in the first week after injury causing more than one day impairment in typical duties.
Four or more concussive events of less severity than the above will also be grounds for exclusion. These events would include post-trauma symptoms such as the individual being dazed, seeing stars, unconscious for less than one half hour, or post-traumatic amnesia of less than an hour.
Current therapeutic treatment with ketamine
Current treatment with topiramate, memantine, or barbiturates within two weeks of randomization
Daytime use of benzodiazepines
Current treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 4 weeks of randomization
Treatment with a vagal nerve stimulator, ECT or deep brain stimulation within two weeks of randomization
Psychosis other than psychotic experiences congruent with depressed mood during a period of depression
Insulin-dependent diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes that is poorly controlled
Other major medical disorder unless cleared by a study physician
History of violence unless cleared by Dr. Driesen or Dr. Krystal because of extenuating circumstances. For example, an individual whose violent behavior was always coupled with substance abuse and had obtained stable sobriety with no violent incidents or an individual who had received successful pharmacotherapy for impulse control difficulties may be included.
Individual meets criteria for a diagnosis of substance or alcohol use disorder within the three months prior to screening date. Individuals who meet criteria for mild alcohol use disorder within three months prior to screening date may be included in the study at investigator discretion. The diagnosis of mild alcohol use disorder shall be per DSM-5 and involve 2-3 symptoms. The PI's discretion will be based on the symptoms that are reported. The purpose of including individuals with mild alcohol use disorder is to extend recruitment to more individuals who can participate safely in the trial.
A positive on screening urine drug test or, at the study physicians' discretion, on any drug screens given before the scans.
A positive screening breathalyzer test or, at the study physicians' discretion, on any breathalyzer test given before the scans. This applies to all subjects, including those who make criteria for current mild alcohol use disorder.
A 12-lead ECG at screening has clinically significant abnormalities as determined by the physician reading the ECG.
Abnormality on clinical chemistry or hematology examination at the pre-study medical screening. Subjects with laboratory parameters outside the reference range for this age group will only be included if the study physician considers that such findings will not introduce additional risk factors.
History of positive HIV or Hepatitis B
Has received either prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) centrally active medicine or herbal supplements within the week prior to the MRI scan. Subjects who have taken OTC medication or herbal supplements may still be entered into the study, if, in the opinions of the Principal/Co-Investigator, the medication received will not interfere with the study procedures or compromise safety.
Known sensitivity to ketamine or heparin
Resting blood pressure lower than 85/55 or higher than 140/90, or resting heart rate lower than 45/min or higher than 100/min, unless cleared by study physician. If a subject meets these blood pressure entrance criteria, but is being treated for high blood pressure, the study team will check with the subject's primary care physician or treatment provider to confirm that the subject is stable and normotensive on their current treatment plan.
History of general intellectual disability
History of claustrophobia
Any clinically significant impairment of color vision or visual acuity after correction available in the scanner
Presence of cardiac pacemaker or other electronic device or ferromagnetic metal foreign bodies in vulnerable positions as assessed by a Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center standard pre-MRI screening questionnaire
Subjects will be advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after completing the infusion.
Donation of blood in excess of 500 mL within 56 days prior to dosing or similar loss of blood due to other causes.
Potential participants may be eliminated at the discretion of Dr. Krystal, Dr. Driesen, or the study physician.
What this trial measures
- Prefrontal functional connectivityDuring ketamine infusion, approximately 2.5 hours
This outcome will be assessed via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2)During ketamine infusion, approximately 2.5 hours.
This outcome will be assessed via fMRI.