Ketamine Trial is Recruiting

Ketamine is a drug that is often given to children for sedation or anesthesia. Experiments in animal models of Rett Syndrome suggest that low (sub-anesthetic) doses of ketamine may improve symptoms of Rett Syndrome, but whether it works in children remains unknown. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic, with funding from RSRT, are conducting a clinical trial of the drug ketamine to determine whether or not it is safe and well tolerated in children with Rett Syndrome. This study will also evaluate whether the respiratory and behavioral symptoms of Rett Syndrome are improved with ketamine treatment.

To be eligible participants must:

• Be 5 years of age or older
• Have a confirmed MECP2 mutation

What is involved?

• 4 overnight visits at the Cleveland Clinic – one night per month
• Over the course of the study, every patient will receive 3 randomized doses of Ketamine and 1 dose of placebo (1 dose at each visit)
• Behavior, breathing, brain activity (EEG), sleep, and other measurements will be taken during each visit
• Visits will be followed up with questionnaires
• There is no cost to participating in this study, and limited funds may be available for assistance with travel costs

For more information:

Please contact Mary Beukemann at 216.448.6224 or by email at beukemm@ccf.org