Combining Ketamine With Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for Suicidality in Individuals With Treatment-Resistant Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder: A Phase II Randomized, Midazolam-Controlled Clinical Trial (KET-DBT)
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if intravenous (IV) ketamine with Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) reduces suicidal ideation in individuals with suicidality who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder. The main question it aims to answer is: Does IV ketamine and DBT produce more rapid and robust improvements in suicidal ideation (SI) severity between baseline and Day 35 compared to IV midazolam and DBT, as measured by changes in the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation (MSSI) scores ? Researchers will compare six IV ketamine infusions and DBT to an active placebo (a look-alike substance that mimics some of ketamine's effects and not others) and DBT to see if IV ketamine with DBT is more effective at reducing SI severity. Participants will: * Complete six infusions of either IV ketamine or IV midazolam * Take part in 6 months of DBT (includes both weekly one-on-one sessions, and group sessions, starting week 5 of the trial) * Visit the hospital for scheduled in-person visits * Join a call or videocall for scheduled remote visits * Complete a variety of different mood, cognitive and behavioral assessments
• Adults between the age of 18 to 70, inclusive;
• Meets criteria for BPD, as determined by clinical assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist and confirmed by the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE);
• Meets DSM-5 criteria for MDD or BD (I or II), currently experiencing a MDE without psychotic features, as diagnosed by a study psychiatrist or psychologist. Diagnosis will be confirmed using the Mini- International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI);
• Current MDE must be moderate to severe, as determined by the MADRS score \>20 with an inadequate response to two or more guideline-concordant treatment trials as defined by the Antidepressant Treatment History Form-Short Form (ATHF- SF);
• No changes in pharmacotherapy for MDD/BD in the last month or changes in psychotherapy in the past month;
• Baseline SI as shown by two consecutive MSSI scores \> 10 two weeks apart.