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Illustrasjon: Ketamine

Ketamine Research

Ketamine is our largest research area. We investigate intravenous ketamine and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy across the full translational pathway—from randomized clinical trials and real-world effectiveness studies to implementation research, biomarkers, and personalized treatment strategies. Our goal is to optimize treatment outcomes while facilitating the safe implementation of rapid-acting antidepressant treatments within public mental healthcare.

Information

Status: Ongoing (recruitment expected September 2026)
Funding: KLINBEFORSK (~NOK 25 million)

PreKET is a national, investigator-initiated, multicentre randomized controlled trial evaluating the optimal maintenance strategy for intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. The study compares different maintenance strategies following successful induction treatment and follows participants for up to 14 months. Approximately 230 participants will be recruited across Norwegian hospitals, providing the first randomized evidence for long-term ketamine maintenance treatment.

Coordinating Investigator: Ole A. Andreassen
Co-Coordinating Investigator: Mark Berthold-Losleben
Lead Site Principal Investigator (Moss): Mark Berthold-Losleben

Subproject: Subjective Roles in Ketamine Treatment

Status: Planned (September 2026)
Funding: Helse Sør-Øst Regional Health Authority (HSØ) PhD Fellowship (~NOK 4 million)

This PhD project is embedded within the PreKET trial and investigates whether ketamine-induced subjective experiences—including emotional breakthroughs and ego dissolution—predict treatment response, relapse prevention, and long-term outcomes. The project aims to identify psychological predictors that may support personalized ketamine treatment strategies.

Project Lead: Mark Berthold-Losleben
PhD Candidate: Jon Sebastian Kaupang
Main Supervisor: Mark Berthold-Losleben
Co-supervisors: Ole A. Andreassen and Tor-Morten Kvam

Status: Ongoing
Funding: Helse Sør-Øst Regional Health Authority (HSØ) PhD Fellowship (~NOK 4 million)

KetObs is a real-world observational study based on routine clinical data from patients receiving intravenous ketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) at the Ketamine Unit, DPS Nord, Moss, Østfold Hospital. The study includes data collected since the introduction of the clinical ketamine service in 2020 and continues to expand as new patients are treated.

Using longitudinal clinical data, KetObs investigates treatment effectiveness, safety, durability of response, relapse, adverse events, healthcare utilization, and predictors of treatment outcome in routine clinical practice. By complementing randomized clinical trials with real-world evidence, the project supports the evidence-based implementation of rapid-acting antidepressant treatments within the public healthcare system.

Project Leads: Ole A. Andreassen and Rikke Lise Steen Folstad
PhD Candidate: Ingrid Autran
Main Supervisor: Mark Berthold-Losleben
Co-supervisors: Ole A. Andreassen and Tor-Morten Kvam

Status: Horizon Europe application submitted

NeuroSync is a proposed international research programme submitted to the European Union's Horizon Europe programme. The project aims to integrate clinical, psychological, neurobiological, and digital biomarkers to better understand the mechanisms underlying ketamine treatment and other rapid-acting antidepressant therapies, supporting the development of more personalized treatment strategies.

Sist oppdatert 14.09.2026