Ketamine Research

Investigating the Mechanisms of Action of Ketamine in Depression

The research emphasizes the pressing need for in-depth investigation into the relationship between early-life social stress, genetic variations, and epigenetic mechanisms. This understanding is crucial for unraveling the complexities of mental health disorders like depression. Moreover, the urgent exploration of ketamine's potential therapeutic effects on serotonin genes, brain signaling, and epigenetics underscores the critical importance of advancing research in this field. These combined efforts offer promising avenues for developing more targeted and effective treatments for major depressive disorder and related conditions.

The study under supervision of Dr. Monnica T Williams plans to collect the data from patients with a diagnosis of MDD undergoing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) at the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Healing (CCPH) in Ottawa or the Behavioral Wellness Clinic (BWC) on the uOttawa campus (Dr. Monnica Williams' lab/clinic).

As such, this study:

1. Investigate the role of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) on epigenetic regulation
2. Explore the relationship between methylation in genes and therapy for MDD,
3. Explore these specific gene polymorphism variations with neuroticism (anxiety) trait and childhood trauma connectivity.

Related Publications

Nepton, A., Farahani, H., Williams, M., Booij, L. & Faber, S. (in press). Ketamine and epigenetic processes in depression, intersection between serotonergic and glutaminergic pathways. Journal of Psychedelic Studies.

Nepton, A., & Williams, M. T. (in press). Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders: Biological Factors. (invited) SAGE Encyclopedia of Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications.

Halstead, M., Reed, S., Krause, R., & Williams, M. T. (2021). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD related to experiences of racial discrimination. Clinical Case Studies, 20(4), 310-330.

Michaels, T. I., Lester, L., de la Salle, S., & Williams, M. T. (2022). Ethnoracial inclusion in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 83(4), 596–607.

Investigating the role of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) on epigenetic regulation

Methodology

Potential participants will be informed of the selection process by phone or email when they express interest in participating. Those who are eligible for this study will be provided the consent form containing the project information. Participants will read the information sheet about the project and then decide themselves if they wish to participate.

This study will use buccal swabs to test methylation state and genotypes. Buccal swabs collect DNA from the inner cheek and will be collected from participants before and after Ketamine exposure timepoints to assess methylation states. Buccal swabs will be carried out by a registered nurse in the clinic. Swabs samples will be placed in dry boxes and will be mailed to Laboratories for further analysis. Briefly, genomic DNA will be extracted from anonymized patient samples. Participants will be asked to fill out three questionnaires before and after KAP. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), and The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Three questionnaires are being administered for the research. To acknowledge participant efforts, each participant will be paid CAD $75 for each time we collect the data (buccal and questionnaires).