14 Insights from the American Society of Ketamine Physicians’ Inaugural Conference 2018
The key to providing outstanding service to our patients is to keep educated and up-to-date. This month, we got to do so at the inaugural conference of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians (ASKP) in Austin, Texas.
We learned a massive amount from leaders in the field of ketamine research and treatment at the conference. While we want to share it all, we kept it simple and are sharing 14 insights from this conference with you!
“Depression is the most common form of disability in the world.” ~Dr. Steve Mandel
“We are seeing late responders to ketamine infusions. Don’t give up on your patients!” ~Dr. Steve Mandel
On the STAR~D trial: “Only about 30% of patients get remission from SSRIs.” ~James Murrough, MD/PHD
“Chronic pain reshapes and reorganizes the brain.”
~Ben Keizer, PHDThree models of ketamine treatments:
A. Medical-surgical model
B. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)model
C. Psychedelic/Shamanic visionary modelSo use different treatment models for different patients. Not a one size fits all!
~Raquel Bennett, PsyD“Preparation is everything.”
~Eli Kolp, MD“Ketamine blocks NMDA receptor. NMDA receptor is in entire spinal cord. CRPS spreads by active NMDA receptor. Ketamine infusions shuts off the NMDA receptor.”
~Dr. Ronald HertzDissociative drugs create a feeling of separation of mind from sensory input. It disconnects the limbic and cortical regions.
~Jason Wallach, PHDThe downstream effects in the CNS from NMDA receptor antagonism leads to elevated glutamate release in limbic and cortical regions.
~Jason Wallach, PHDDay 13-17 of menstrual cycle is ideal time to get ketamine infusion.
~Rachel J. Dalthorp, MDIn postpartum depression, ketamine may help prevent hospitalization and separation of mom and baby. There are breastfeeding concerns, however, as ketamine is lipophilic. So ‘pump and dump.’
~Rachel J. Dalthorp, MDPreliminary data suggest that ketamine produces meaningful, transformative experiences that help patients accept healthier values, behaviors, and beliefs.
~David Mathai, MDAn increase in dissociation was one of the strongest predictors of antidepressant effect.
~Sandhya Prashad, MDKetamine isn’t a magic bullet. Use ketamine infusion as a springboard to launch into healthy activities and lifestyle.
~Sandhya Prashad, MD
Learn something new? We sure did! Have more questions than answers now that you looked at this list? Contact us and let’s get talking!
The key to providing outstanding service to our patients is to keep educated and up-to-date. This month, we got to do so at the inaugural conference of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians (ASKP) in Austin, Texas.