Ketamine for the treatment of DEpression with anorexia Nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ketamine for the treatment of DEpression with anorexia Nervosa: A randomised controlled feasibility study to test recruitment, treatment acceptance, adherence, safety, and outcome measures assessment (EDEN)
IRAS ID
340838
Contact name
Hubertus Himmerich
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
Anorexia nervosa is a restrictive eating disorder that has a high rate of death. Approximately a third of people develop a persisting form of illness, which is often accompanied by depression, which is a barrier to recovery. Anti-depressant medications are not effective in treating depression in patients with chronic anorexia and new treatments are needed. Ketamine is currently used for the treatment of depression in the UK and may be effective in patients with AN and additional depression. The hope for this study is that people with both, anorexia, and depression, will experience relief from depression and thus get back their hope for improvement, motivation, and strength to fight their anorexia.
The EDEN project aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised-controlled design examining oral ketamine versus placebo for the alleviation of depression in 60 adults with a diagnosis of longstanding anorexia (≥3 years) and severe depression that has not responded to treatment. Participants in the study will randomly receive either ketamine, or a dummy pill, twice a week for four weeks (eight doses in total). All doses will be given in the Clinical Research Facility at King's College London, where participants will be monitored by medical professionals. The main outcome will be looking at whether a sufficient number of people were recruited into the study and did not drop out over the duration of the study period, and whether people found the drug, as well as taking part in the study itself, acceptable. Measurements of depression, anorexia symptoms, suicidality, and quality of life will be taken after 28 days, and 3- and 6- months, therefore the participation period for each participant is 6 months.
The EDEN project is funded by the Medical Research Council Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0279
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion