The NeuroKet study aims to understand how ketamine works as an antidepressant medication. To find out, we are looking at brain activity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.
Our team is currently recruiting participants from the community who have a clinical diagnosis of depression and proof of diagnosis will be required to take part.
This study is investigating differences in brain activity between people with depression who are receiving ketamine treatment, and healthy control participants who are not receiving ketamine treatment.
It is important to understand that this is not a ketamine treatment for depression and is not part of any ongoing treatment for depression. The ketamine infusion is part of a research study only where you will receive a one-off low-dose ketamine dose.
Anticipated enrolment close date: Mid-2027
Who can take part
This study might be right for you if you meet the following criteria:
- Aged 18 to 65
- Have a clinical diagnosis of depression as supported by documentation
- Do not have a clinical diagnosis or any history of psychotic or bipolar disorder
- Speak English competently
Other inclusion and exclusion criteria may apply, which will be advised upon contact.
What's involved
Participation in this study takes approximately 7 hours in total, and this is usually split across 5 days. There are 4 components to participating in this study:
- A pre-screening phone call taking approximately 40 minutes
- An online screening interview taking approximately 30-40 minutes
- Two in-person MRI scanning sessions (these will be done on separate days) taking approximately 2 hours (1 hour in the scanner). Participants are asked to complete a number of tasks in the scanner. This will be done at the Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit in Parkville
- An in-person low-dose ketamine infusion session taking approximately 3 hours at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Parkville.
Participants are reimbursed for their time and travel expenses.
Ethics
All research in Australia involving human participants is reviewed by an independent group called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research study have been approved by the Royal Melbourne Hospital HREC.
This study is being carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement protects the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.