Single Ketamine Infusion and Neurocognitive Performance in Bipolar Depression

Abstract

We estimated neurocognitive performance using the trail making test (TMT) and the Stroop color-word interference test before, and on the 3^rd day after a single infusion of ketamine, in 18 bipolar depressed patients receiving mood-stabilizing drugs. The performance on all tests significantly improved on the 3^rd day after ketamine infusion which correlated positively with baseline intensity of neuropsychological impairment and was not associated either with baseline intensity of depression or reduction of depressive symptoms after 3 or 7 days. The results suggest that in such population of patients, single ketamine infusion may improve neuropsychological performance independently of antidepressant effect.

Key words

ketamine - bipolar depression - neurocognitive performance

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