Beyond Therapeutic Potential: A Systematic Investigation of Ketamine Misuse in Major Depressive Disorder Patients

Abstract

Ketamine, a pharmacological agent that acts as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, has garnered considerable interest due to its notable and expeditious antidepressant properties observed in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have exhibited resistance to conventional therapeutic interventions. A comprehensive and rigorous systematic review was undertaken in order to evaluate the prevalence of ketamine abuse within the population of individuals who are undergoing ketamine treatment for MDD. A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases to identify pertinent studies published in the period from 2021 to 2023. The present investigation incorporated a comprehensive range of studies encompassing the abuse or misuse of ketamine, comprising case reports, observational studies, and clinical trials. The process of data extraction and quality assessment was conducted in accordance with predetermined criteria. The findings of this systematic review demonstrate the importance of monitoring and addressing ketamine abuse in patients receiving ketamine treatment for MDD. The wide range in reported prevalence rates points out the need for standardized criteria and measures for defining and assessing ketamine abuse.