Phase II a/b results

Conclusions

Primary Outcomes

1. KARE therapy significantly increased abstinence over all other groups.
2. Odds ratio of relapse was reduced with the KARE therapy.

Secondary Outcomes

1. Ketamine groups showed improved liver function across several markers.
2. Ketamine groups saw reduced depression and anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) at 3 months.

Exploratory Analysis 

Heavy drinking days were reduced in the KARE group compared to all other groups.

Safety

Ketamine was well tolerated and had a good safety profile, adverse events were predominantly mild and only  reported by 8/96 patients. No serious adverse events happened.

Phase II a/b (KARE) results:

THE RESEARCH QUESTION

Can Ketamine-Assisted Therapy increase abstinence rates in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder following detox?

Details of Phase II a/b (KARE)

• Four armed Phase II a/b clinical trial for reducing relapse in Alcohol Use Disorder with the NMDA receptor antagonist Ketamine.
  
• Funded by the UK State (Medical Research Council)
  
• Conducted by University of Exeter
  
• Led by Prof. Celia Morgan
  
• Rights to KARE exclusively acquired by Awakn Life Sciences in February 2021
  
• N=96
  
• Published: January 2022 in the American Journal of Psychiatry
  
• Full paper can be found here.

Phase II a/b (KARE) Trial Design

Phase II a/b (KARE) Treatment Protocol

The treatment protocol took place over 4 weeks and consisted of 7 therapy sessions of 1.5hrs long each, and three ketamine sessions.

A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Experiences:
“This Is Something That Changed My Life”

In conjunction with the KARE study, a further study was conducted on the qualitative patient outcomes during the trial. This has also been published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, click here for the full paper.

Aim

The study aimed to examine participant experiences of ketamine infusions and how these relate to therapeutic mechanisms in a clinical trial setting.

Conclusion

Provided in a supportive and professional environment, ketamine treatment led to a significant change in their relationship with alcohol. Ketamine induced ego dissolution and dissociation were reported to be related to the transformational effects on relationship with alcohol.

PATIENT EXTRACTS

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