"A new study gives depression sufferers much hope if only they can get their doctors to look at this study. Ketamine infusion therapy the controversial treatment for depression has been resisted by many physicians due to concerns about shortlived benefits risks of addiction and the lack of large scale studies. In contrast this retrospective study of over three years of clinical experience shows lasting benefits for many patients with no apparent risk of addiction. Through a handful of ketamine infusions directed by Theodore Henderson MD PhD refractory depression symptoms can be relieved significantly and persistently. Evidence points to the regeneration of brain cells as a critical mechanism for the relief of depression as published in peerreviewed journal Neural Regeneration Research February  issue.  The study Practical application of the neuroregenerative properties of ketamine real world treatment experience http addresses key points in the controversy surrounding the use of intravenous ketamine for the treatment of depression. Its findings stand in direct contrast to warnings from the American Psychiatric Association APA. While controversial in academic settings Dr. Henderson said his direct experience supports a different strategy for multipleinfusion treatment regimens and his clinical experience shows ketamine can invoke longlasting effects often with less than six infusions. The wealth of clinical experience from treating hundreds of patients with ketamine has supplanted the preliminary data that emerged from the initial openlabel and small doubleblinded studies said Dr. Henderson who is a board certified psychiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating complex conditions based in Denver Colorado. He is also the cofounder of NeuroLuminance Ketamine Infusion Centers. Patients in the study completed the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms QIDSSR among other scales and  showed persistent positive response to the ketamine infusions treatments. What is a Ketamine Infusion  Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic in use since s. Intravenous administration over a prolonged period of time is key to its persistent antidepressant benefit.  Depression is associated with neuron loss reduced synapse numbers and dearborization of dendrites. Ketamine appears to potently induce mechanisms which reverse these neurodegenerative processes. Citing over  published scientific research studies the new research article also reviews the molecular mechanisms by which ketamine invokes a robust activation of the brains own repair mechanisms. Another conclusion Dr. Henderson highlights is ketamine infusions can relieve refractory depression symptoms persistently perhaps for years.  Activation of brainderived neurotrophic factor BDNF appears to have an important role in the antidepressant effects of ketamine. BDNF induces synaptogenesis dendritic arborization improved neuronal health and neurogenesis. These processes likely underlie the persistent benefits of ketamine. Dr. Hendersons findings challenge the oftheld beliefs that ketamine must be given frequently to have any benefit and that ketamine has no longlasting benefit.   Dr. Henderson stated Misconceptions about ketamine abound among psychiatrists particularly related to possible chemical dependence problems. However the neurobiological basis of its benefit for depression has nothing to do with causing addictive risk. Our patients get better after a few infusions and from there treatments can be discontinued. The study also challenges concerns about neurotoxicity and a recent hypothesis that patients must experience hallucinations during ketamine infusion in order to have an antidepressant benefit.  Please visit NeuroLuminance http or call   for more information."