About this course

Learning Objectives

• Identify ways in which the research on pathophysiology informed the development of randomized controlled trials examining ketamine efficacy
• Analyze the strength and weaknesses in data on safety and efficacy from randomized control trials
• Discuss key issues to consider when evaluating the suitability of individual patients for treatment with ketamine

Learning Levels

• Intermediate

Target Audience

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Daniel Pine, MD

  Psychiatrist

  Practice Philosophy: Daniel S. Pine, MD, is a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in children and adolescents. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s top anxiety researchers, and applies his extensive knowledge through diagnosis and treatment of young patients at The Ross Center. Families value the clinical expertise he provides through psychiatric assessment of mood, anxiety, and behavioral disorders, and his medical acumen in prescribing medications that take into consideration a child’s age, diagnosis, symptom duration and severity. He is often sought out by parents and families for clinical consultations in more complex cases, and can provide second opinions diagnostically for those who have struggled for answers. When appropriate, he collaborates with a child’s therapist and other providers to help insure consistent delivery of care. Families appreciate his sensitivity and compassion, and benefit from his vast understanding of the biology behind the mind of an anxious child.

  Areas of Expertise: Dr. Pine is a renowned expert in the field of pediatric mental health. His background in research has led to greater understanding of the biological roots of psychiatric disorders. He is a leader in the development of diagnostic tools and treatments for childhood psychiatric disorders. As a clinician, he uses this wealth of experience to successfully treat anxiety, mood, and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.

  Experience and Training: Dr. Pine also serves at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as the Chief Psychiatrist, Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, in the Intramural Research Program. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago, and spent 10 years at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in training and research on child psychiatry. His research has focused on the epidemiology, biology, and treatment of pediatric mental illnesses, and is featured in over 500 published scientific papers. Additionally, Dr. Pine has chaired the Food and Drug Administration’s Psychopharmacology Drug Advisory Board. His many honors include the Blanche Ittelson Award from the American Psychiatric Association for outstanding research contributions to the field of child psychiatry.

References

• Anand, Amit, et al. “Ketamine versus ECT for Nonpsychotic Treatment-Resistant Major Depression.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 388, no. 25, 24 May 2023, https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2302399.
• Menon, Vikas, et al. “Ketamine vs Electroconvulsive Therapy for Major Depressive Episode.” JAMA Psychiatry, 12 Apr. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.0562. Accessed 4 May 2023.
• Palamar, Joseph J, et al. “Trends in Illicit Ketamine Seizures in the US from 2017 to 2022.” JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 80, no. 7, 1 July 2023, pp. 750–750, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.1423. Accessed 26 Dec. 2023.
• Price, Rebecca B., et al. “A Novel, Brief, Fully Automated Intervention to Extend the Antidepressant Effect of a Single Ketamine Infusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 21 Sept. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20220216. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.
• Reif, Andreas, et al. “Esketamine Nasal Spray versus Quetiapine for Treatment-Resistant Depression.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 389, no. 14, 5 Oct. 2023, pp. 1298–1309, https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2304145.
• Rhee, Taeho Greg, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine vs Electroconvulsive Therapy among Patients with Major Depressive Episode.” JAMA Psychiatry, 19 Oct. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3352.