Many ME/CFS sufferers can also suffer from depression as a secondary condition. The treatment of anti-depressants is very common by GPs. However, treating the condition often takes weeks, months or even years.
A recent US study has shown the speed at which Ketamine can help depression symptoms in sufferers. The work still needs more investigation and the drug itself will require some adaptation, but initial tests seem positive.
“Lead researcher Dr Carlos Zarate Junior, head of the mood and anxiety disorders programme at NIMH, said: “Within 110 minutes, half of the patients given ketamine showed a 50% decrease in symptoms.”
By the end of day one, he added, 71% had responded to the drug. And at this point the team found 29% of these patients were nearly symptom free.
The researchers also discovered one dose lasted for at least a week in more than one-third of the participants.”
BBC Website, 7 August 2006
At the moment, Ketamine is used by some as a recreational drug. It is thought that it can be adapted safely so that one injection can improve the symptoms of depression in sufferers.
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Meg
Sleepydust Newspaper Coordinator
