Major depressive disorder is a typical mental ailment that may result in emotional, physical, and quality-of-life symptoms. Medication and therapy-based therapies are frequently effective for patients, although some forms of depression are resistant.

Ketamine infusions and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are two treatments for severe depression resistant to other forms of therapy, and a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine compared their use. The study aimed to determine whether subanesthetic intravenous ketamine was almost as effective for treating treatment-resistant depression as ECT. 

Researchers enrolled participants with severe depression who had failed treatment and divided into two groups. For three weeks, 195 people in one group received twice-weekly intravenous infusions of ketamine, while the second group received electroconvulsive therapy three times each week for three weeks.

Using a particular scoring system, they assessed the reactions to treatment in both groups based on self-reports.

A higher score indicated poorer depression. A score that dropped by at least 50% was considered a treatment response, and patients who had a response were followed up for the next six months. Improvements were seen in both groups. Approximately 55% of participants in the ketamine group and 41% of participants in the ECT group both experienced improvement.

Overall, following the three weeks of treatment, the ketamine intervention group showed fewer issues with memory recall. The outcomes show that ketamine is comparable to electroconvulsive therapy.

(Source:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ketamine-may-be-as-effective-in-treating-depression-as-electroconvulsive-therapy#Ketamine-vs.-electroconvulsive-therapy)