Can exposure-based cbt extend iv ketamine ’s effects in ocd? an open-label trial

A single subanesthetic intravenous (IV) dose of ketamine leads to rapid anti-obsessional effects in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients with near-constant intrusive obsessions, but these effects usually do not persist. We tested whether a brief course of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could extend ketamine ’s effects in a two week pilot open trial and if this effect was maintained (without additional treatment) two weeks later. Our rationale was: 1) ketamine is reported to enhance plasticity and extinction learning in rodents, and 2) enhanced extinction learning may facilitate CBT gains, as reported in trials that combined CBT with agents thought to facilitate extinction learning (e.g.

Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 1, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Carolyn I. Rodriguez, Michael Wheaton, Jordana Zwerling, Shari A. Steinman, Danae Sonnenfeld, Hanga Galfalvy, Helen Blair Simpson Tags: Carolyn Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D. Source Type: research