Using Decision Tree Analysis to Study How Low-Dose Ketamine May Help Reduce Suicidal Symptoms

A combination of clinical predictors may enhance the ability to forecast the antisuicidal effects of ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

• Combinations of clinical predictors include mild or moderate depression severity, shorter duration of the current episode, and no more than four trials of antidepressant failures.
• Low or moderate current suicide risks and a history of suicide attempts are also part of the predictive markers.
• These combined predictors offered superior predictive power for the rapid and sustained antisuicidal effects compared to any single predictor.
• Findings can help clinicians identify individuals most likely to benefit from ketamine's antisuicidal effects.
• Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

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