The aim of this study is to assess the impact of ketamine on aesthetic perception and processing. This study assesses the role of these effects in facilitating ketamine's antidepressant properties, with a focus on anhedonia. To address this aim, 25 patients with major depressive disorder and 35 healthy controls will be assessed twice with magnetic resonance imaging, once after administration of intravenous ketamine (subanesthetic dose) and once after administration of placebo.This study has a single-center, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design. During MRI, structural, resting state, and functional imaging will be performed. Functional imaging will comprise aesthetic processing, reward, and sexual arousal paradigms. In addition, various neuropsychological scales assessing depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and aesthetic processing will be performed. Eligibility for participation will be assessed during a screening visit, a follow up visit will end study participation.
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BOLD signal assessed with fMRI during aesthetic paradigm
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks
BOLD signal assessed with fMRI during reward paradigm
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks
BOLD signal assessed with fMRI during sexual arousal paradigm
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks
Levels of pleasantness assessed during aesthetic fMRI task
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks
Number of of chills assessed during aesthetic fMRI task
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks
BOLD signal assessed with fMRI during resting state
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 4 weeks