Clinical TrialSuicidalityEsketamineEsketaminePlaceboEnrolling by invitation

Psychotherapy Combined With Intranasal Esketamine for the Treatment of Suicidal Ideation

This interventional trial (n=56) will evaluate the effects of combined intranasal esketamine and brief cognitive behavioural therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT-SP) in patients experiencing suicidal ideation associated with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The primary aim is to assess reductions in suicidal ideation at one week post-treatment, comparing the combined treatment group with a control group receiving only intranasal esketamine. Participants aged 18 to 70 with a major depressive episode and ongoing suicidal ideation will be recruited. The trial will consist of two arms: one receiving naturalistic intranasal esketamine and the other receiving BCBT-SP alongside intranasal esketamine, involving 12 weekly sessions of psychotherapy. Key outcome measures include the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and TMS-EEG N100 peak, both assessed one week after treatment. The study is set to begin in January 2026 and is expected to complete by January 2029.

Target Enrollment
56 participants
Study Type
Phase NA interventional
Design
Randomized

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of combined intranasal esketamine with brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT-SP) for suicidal ideation (SI) in patients with treatment- resistant depression (TRD). The secondary aim is to identify the biological targets of treatment response using combined transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). In this project we will recruit patients between the ages of 18 and 70, diagnosed with a major depressive episode with ongoing suicidal ideation present who have failed (or not shown signs of improvement) after at least one prior treatment. The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in reductions in suicidality at 1-week post-treatment between the combined treatment group and the ketamine only treatment group. The alternative hypothesis is that the combined treatment will result in a greater reduction in suicidal ideation at 1-week post-treatment.

Study Arms & Interventions

Intranasal Esketamine

active comparator

Naturalistic Intranasal Esketamine

Interventions

  • Esketamine
    via Other

BCBT-SP + Intranasal Esketamine

experimental

Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention combined with Intranasal Esketamine

Interventions

  • Esketamine
    via Other
  • Placebo
    • weekly for 12 sessions• 12 doses total

    Unmatched intervention: Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention

Participants

Ages
18 – 70
Sexes
All

Inclusion Criteria

  • 1. All genders
  • 2. Ages 18 to 70 years
  • 3. Physician order of intranasal esketamine in the UCSD Interventional Psychiatry Clinic
  • 4. Treatment resistant depression diagnosis confirmed by the ordering physician (treatment failure defined as the lack of clinically meaningful response in depression following an antidepressant trial)
  • 5. Ongoing SI present beyond the screening phase of the study (confirmed with Beck SSI score ≥4).
  • 6. Pass the TMS adult safety screening (TASS) questionnaire
  • 7. Voluntary outpatients capable to consent to treatment and seen at the UC San Diego Health Interventional Psychiatry program.
  • 8. Able to adhere to the treatment schedule.

Exclusion Criteria

  • 1. Previously undergone the Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (BCBT-SP) protocol
  • 2. Currently undergoing an evidence based psychotherapy treatment (according to the policies by the American Psychological Association)
  • 3. Presence of SI prompting emergent hospital stay (SI in which the participant can maintain voluntary and capable as an outpatient, as well as recent suicide attempt, will not be exclusionary)
  • 4. Not capable to consent to treatment or not suitable for outpatient treatment
  • 5. Have a cardiac pacemaker or implanted medication pump; any history of seizure except those therapeutically induced by ECT or a febrile seizure of infancy, cerebral aneurysm, significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for greater than 5 minutes; Have an intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed.
  • 6. Based on eligibility for Intranasal Esketamine in the UCSD IPP clinic: Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder or schizophrenia spectrum disorder or current diagnosis of a substance use disorder or cognitive disorder documented in the electronic medical records

Study Details

  • Status
    Enrolling by invitation
  • Phase
    Phase NA
  • Type
    interventional
  • Design
    Randomized
  • Target Enrollment56 participants
  • Timeline
    Start: 2026-01-09
    End: 2029-01-01
  • Compounds
    EsketamineEsketaminePlacebo
  • Topic
    Suicidality

Study Team

Sponsors & Collaborators

Locations

UC San Diego Health - 4S Ranch — San Diego, California, United States

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