Ketamine as a Novel Psychopharmacotherapy for Eating Disorders: Evidence and Future Directions

Anya Ragnhildstveit; Matthew Slayton; Laura Jackson; Madeline Brendle; Sachin Ahuja; Willis Holle; Claire Moore; Kellie Sollars; Paul Seli; Reid Robison

doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0156.v2

Preprint Review Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 10 February 2022 / Approved: 11 February 2022 / Online: 11 February 2022 (04:30:04 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 6 March 2022 / Approved: 7 March 2022 / Online: 7 March 2022 (08:34:11 CET)

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, life-threatening psychiatric conditions associated with physical and psychosocial impairments, as well as high morbidity and mortality. Given the chronic refractory nature of EDs and the paucity of evidence-based treatments, there is a pressing need to identify novel approaches for this population. The noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) antagonist, ketamine, has recently been approved for treatment-resistant depression, exerting rapid and robust antidepressant effects. It is now being investigated for several new indications, including obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic, and substance use disorder; and shows transdiagnostic potential for EDs, particularly among clinical non-responders. As such, the aim of this review is to examine contemporary findings on the treatment of EDs with ketamine, whether used as a primary, adjunctive, or combination psychopharmacotherapy. Avenues for future research are also discussed. Overall, results are encouraging and point to therapeutic value, yet are limited to case series and reports on anorexia nervosa. Further empirical work is thus needed to explore ketamine efficacy across ED subgroups; establish safety profiles and optimize dosing; and develop theory-driven, targeted treatment strategies at the individual patient level.

esketamine; ketamine; ketamine assisted psychotherapy; eating disorder; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; binge eating disorder; pharmacology; psychedelics; treatment

MEDICINE & PHARMACOLOGY, Psychiatry & Mental Health studies

Comment 1

Received: 7 March 2022
Commenter: Anya Ragnhildstveit
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author

Comment: Minor changes were made to the abstract. New information was added to the manuscript body, located on lines 115-125 and 184-189, following reviewer suggestions.

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Ketamine as a Novel Psychopharmacotherapy for Eating Disorders: Evidence and Future Directions

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