The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and esketamine in reducing suicidality in major depressive disorder: A comprehensive narrative review
Ketamine, esketamine, rTMS and ECT are associated with reductions in SI in persons with MDD, with the strongest evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting rapid, short-term effects, particularly for ketamine and esketamine. Further characterization and differentiation of the durability of antisuicidal effects of the aforementioned interventions requires investigation in large-scale, adequately-controlled clinical trials. In addition, whether reductions in SI following administration of these agents reduces the severity of aspects of suicidal behavior should be evaluated.
Authors
- Serene M. L. Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5231-0607)
- Cory R. Weissman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5087-8263)
- Trisha Menon
- Akhilan Arulmozhi
- Christine E. Dri
- Gia Han Le
- Kayla M. Teopiz
- Andy Lu
- Roger S. McIntyre
- Sabrina Wong
Institutions
- University of Toronto (CA)
- UC San Diego Health System (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Psychiatry Research
- Published
- 2026-02-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117036
- Primary Topic
- Treatment of Major Depression
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00