Methods For The Treatment Of Depression

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods and dosing regimens for the treatment of depression (preferably, treatment resistant depression), for the treatment of depression in a suicidal patient, and/or for the treatment and/or prevention of suicidality (e.g. suicidal ideations).

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method of reducing severity of depression in a human patient having depression, comprising
 genetically testing the patient to determine their Val66Met rs6265 polymorphism in the BDNF gene;   identifying the patient as a Val/Val homozygote; and   administering an effective amount of ketamine to the patient in a first intravenous infusion, wherein the severity of depression is reduced within four days of the first infusion.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine is administered. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the severity of depression is assessed by MADRS score prior to the first infusion and within four days after the first infusion. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein, within four days of the first infusion, the patient has a reduction in MADRS score of greater than 50% relative to the MADRS score prior to the first infusion. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the depression is treatment resistant depression.