Our Medical Director - Inventor of the RESTORE Infusion

Gerald W. Grass, MD, is an internationally known and respected physician. Before founding the Ketamine Research Institute, he served as Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, where the original ketamine infusion was formulated in 1994. Also, he served as the Director of the Pain Medicine Fellowship Program.

He began utilizing ketamine to treat chronic pain in 1989 and has since pioneered the development of the RESTORE Infusion Program.  He established the Ketamine Infusion Training Program for Physicians/Clinicians in 2016, which became the first comprehensive, international training program for physicians to educate medical professionals in the safe, standardized, and effective administration of ketamine-based therapy to their patients for treatment-resistant mood disorders and intractable chronic pain.

Over a 30-year period of clinical use and research, Dr. Grass formulated the RESTORE Infusion protocol to vastly improve and optimize the standard ketamine infusion that was developed at Yale in 1994.  He has more direct "hands-on" clinical experience providing ketamine infusion therapy than any other physician in the United States, personally guiding hundreds of patients through the RESTORE experience. The ultimate goal was to make ketamine-based infusion therapy as rapid, effective, and long-lasting as possible.  Today, the RESTORE infusion is regarded as the "gold standard" in ketamine-based treatment.

In addition, to developing RESTORE, Dr. Grass is a widely published author and lecturer with numerous academic publications, including peer-reviewed articles, educational presentations, abstracts, and book chapters. He has taught at some of the most prestigious educational and research institutions in the country, including:

Yale University School of Medicine

Mount Sinai Medical Center/NYU School of Medicine  

The State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine

Dr. Grass has spent many years working to enhance and expand the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy. He has developed the RESTORE Ketamine Infusion to help relieve patients suffering from chronic pain and depression as rapidly as possible. His work treating injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with complex pain, depression, and PTSD issues led to the development of the RESTORE infusion. He has presented his breakthrough work in regional and national meetings and conferences and to other physicians and governmental organizations, including the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense. Dr. Grass is sought out by major medical centers, research institutions, and other physicians for his expertise and experience in the area of ketamine therapy.

Broadly trained, he has extensive clinical experience and training in many fields of medicine, including Anesthesiology, Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine, and Alternative/Complementary Medicine. These have given him the overview and training necessary to integrate the complexities of modern medicine and transform those fields into the emerging new direction in science known as Translational Medicine.

Founder and Course Director

Academic Presentation - Lectures

2018 – Grass G: A New Way of Looking at The Treatment of Mood Disorders
Are Conventional Antidepressants Obsolete?
Ketamine - A New Path to Depression Relief
The Human Connectome Project and How It Impacts Depression
Ketamine as Molecular Neuromodulation Therapy
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Current Scientific Evidence Supporting Ketamine Therapy - Part I
Why You Should Perform Ketamine Infusions
What is Ketamine - The Strange History of CI-581
Repurposing an Old Drug - 50+ Years of Clinical Use
Overview of the Current Scientific Evidence for Ketamine Therapy
Comparison of Ketamine Therapy vs. Standard Treatment, ECT and rTMS
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Current Scientific Evidence Supporting Ketamine Therapy - Part II
Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Aspects of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Interactions at the NMDA and AMPA Receptors
Research into other Ketamine Like Compounds - Will They Be Effective?
Beyond the Pharmacological Effects of Ketamine - Transpersonal Aspect
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: Practical Clinical Aspects of Ketamine Therapy
Patient Selection and Evaluation for Ketamine Therapy
Reviewing Medical Records, Pre-Procedure Labs and EKG
Contraindications to Ketamine Therapy - What are They?
Intravenous vs. Intramuscular or Other Routes of Administration
Is Ketamine Abuse and Substance Dependence an Issue?
Medicolegal Concerns About "Off-Label" Use of Ketamine
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Ketamine Infusion Protocol
Pre-Procedure Assessments and Documentation Requirements
Equipment Requirements Necessary for Providing Ketamine Safely
The Ketamine Infusion Protocol - Pitfalls and Pearls
Adverse Effects Associated with Ketamine Therapy - How to Manage Them
Post Procedure Observation and Interview
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: Optimizing Outcomes and Expanding Indications for Ketamine Therapy
How To Optimize The "Standard" Protocol for Maximal Benefit
Treating Complicated Patients with Co-Morbid Conditions
The Expanding Indications for Ketamine Therapy
The Ketamine Institute Mentoring Program
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2016 – Grass G: Sequential Ketamine Infusions Utilizing an Enhanced Multimodal Infusion Technique (eMIT) for Rescue from Intractable Pain and Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Intrathecal Pump Misadventue. American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA, February 2016

2016 – Grass G: Ultra-rapid Outpatient Opioid Detoxification Using a Novel Enhanced Multimodal Ketamine Infusion. International Conference on Opioids, Boston, MA June 2016

2016 – Grass G: Sequential Ketamine Infusions Utilizing an Enhanced Multimodal Infusion Technique (eMIT) for Rescue from Intractable Pain and Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Intrathecal Pump Misadventue. American Society of Regional Anesthesia Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2016

2015 – Grass G: Ketamine: A Molecular “Reset Button” for Chronic Pain and Depression. Region 2 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 5 - VISN 8 Primary Care Providers, September 2015.

2015 – Grass G: Ketamine Intravenous Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain. Department of Defense - Walter Reed Medical Center Pain Management Grand Rounds. November 2015.

Current and Ongoing Projects

Ketamine Research Institute

KRI-0201 - Principal Investigator:  Positive modulation of allosteric and metabotropic receptors to enhance the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine infusions for mood disorders.

KRI-0202 - Principal Investigator:  The effect of hormonal and metabolic variables on individual responsively to ketamine infusion therapy.

KRI-0203 - Principal Investigator:  Enhancement of the transpersonal experience during ketamine therapy through visual and auditory stimulation.

KRI-0204 - Principal Investigator:  Alpha/Theta modulation entrainment during intravenous ketamine infusion therapy.

KRI-0205 - Principal Investigator:  Optimization of ketamine serum concentrations and area under the curve for the treatment of mood-disorders and chronic neuropathic pain syndromes.

KRI-0206 - Principal Investigator:  The effects of intravenous ketamine therapy on neurodegenerative disorders.

Translational Medicine Research - Mood Disorders/Depression

Sage Therapeutics
215 First Street
Cambridge, MA 02142

SAGE 217-PPD-201 – Principal Investigator: 
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of SAGE-217 Injection in the Treatment of Adult Female Subjects With Severe Postpartum Depression. Number 217-PPD-201

SAGE 547-PPD-304 – Principal Investigator: 
A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Brexanolone in the Treatment of Adolescent Female Subjects With Postpartum Depression. Number 547-PPD-304

SAGE 547-PPD-301 – Principal Investigator: 
A Multicenter, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of SAGE-547 Injection in the Treatment of Adult Female Subjects With Moderate to Severe Postpartum Depression. Number 547-PPD-301

SAGE 547/201 – Principal Investigator:
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of SAGE-547 Infusion in the Treatment of Adult Female Subjects With Severe Postpartum Depression and Adult Female Subjects With Moderate Postpartum Depression. Number 547-PPD-202

Other Publications

2005 – Rozen D, Grass GW: Interventional Pain Medicine Approaches to Nonradicular Low Back Pain of Internal Disc Degeneration Origin. Pain Physician. 2005; 8:357-363.

2005 – Rozen D, Grass GW: Intradiscal Electrothermal Coagulation and Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Discogenic Low Back Pain. Pain Practice. 2005, Volume 5/Issue 3: 228-243.

2005 – Rozen D, Grass GW: Perioperative and Intraoperative Pain and Anesthetic Care of the Chronic Pain and Cancer Pain Patient Receiving Chronic Opioid Therapy. Pain Practice. 2005, Volume 5/Issue 1:18-32

2003 – Grass GW: Reversal of Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression with Electroacupuncture. Journal of Medical Acupuncture. 2003, Volume 15/ Number 3

2003 – Kramer D, Grass GW: Challenges facing the Anesthesiologist in the Emergency Department. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology. 2003, Volume 16:409-416

2002 – Grass GW: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case Report. Journal of Medical Acupuncture. 2002, Volume 13/ Number 2

Abstract/Poster Presentations

2012 – Grass G: Veterans Healthcare Administration - VA SCAN-ECHO Initiative at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Pain Society, Whistler, BC, May 23, 2012

2012 – Grass G: Veterans Healthcare Administration - VA SCAN-ECHO Initiative at the Annual International eHealth, Telemedicine and Health ICT Forum, Luxembourg, Switzerland, April 18, 2012

2012 – Grass G: Veterans Healthcare Administration - VA SCAN-ECHO Initiative at 28th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, Palm Springs, Calif., Feburary 24, 2012

2011 – Licoln L, Grass G: High Risk Mediciations: Methadone Intervention and Safety Program at VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Presented at the VHA National Pain Management Leadership Conference, March 2011

2010 – Souzdalnitski, D, Grass GW: Nicotine Transdermal Patch For 48 Hours After Hysterectomy May Save Up To 77.6 Million Dollars Yearly: A Primer Of Concealed Economic Benefits Of Postoperative Opioid Sparing. Presented at the 26th American Academy of Pain Medicine San Antonio, Texas on February 3-6, 2010.

2009 – Implementation of a Multidiscplinary Pain Medicine Center – VHA National Conference, Evolving Paradigms, Las Vegas, Nevada September 21-25.

2006 – Grass GW: A Novel Therapy in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Report – 22nd Annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine February 23-25, 2006, San Diego, CA.

2006 – Grass GW: Percutaneous Neuromodulation Therapy: A Novel Treatment for Intractable Abdominal Pain: A Case Report –   25th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society (IASP Chapter) May 3-6, 2006, San Antonio, Texas.

2005 – Thompson JC, Grass GW, Kelly J, Paticoff J: A Challenging Case of Postherpetic Neuralgia: Its Multiple Treatment Options – 79th IARS Clinical and Scientific Congress. March 2005. Honolulu, Hawaii.

2004 – Grass GW: A Minimally Invasive Technique for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Pain – The 58th Postgraduate Assembly – The New York State Society of Anesthesiologists. December 2004 New York, New York.

2004 – Grass GW: Percutaneous Neural Modulation Therapy: A Minimally Invasive Technique for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Pain – The 2nd Joint Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society and the Canadian Pain Society. May 2004 Vancouver, B. C.

Research

2009-2013 Donaghue Foundation Program for Research Leadership Grant.” Implementation of a “Stepped-Care” Model of Pain Treatment”. R.D. Kerns (Principal Investigator). Total amount of award, $800,000.

2008-2010 VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Program Merit Grant (B6044R), “Cognitive behavior therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain”. R.D. Kerns (Principal Investigator). Total amount of award, $750,000.

2010- 2012 VA Connecticut Pilot Study: The Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain States. G.W. Grass (Principal Investigator).

Presentations/Lectures/Teaching Activities

2022 – Grass G:  A New Methodological Approach to Improve the "Real Word" Effectiveness of Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Psych Congress. New Orleans, LA. September 17th-20th.

2022 – Grass G:  A New Methodological Approach to Improve the "Real Word" Effectiveness of Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression. 6th International Conference on Neurology and Brain Disorders. Orlando, FL. October 24th-26th.

2019 – Grass G: Ketamine - Molecular Neuromodulation
Therapy for the Treatment of Mood Disorders.
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, April 2019

2018 – Grass G: Proposed International Standards for
Ketamine Infusion Centers – Ketamine Research Institute 2018

2018 – Grass G: A New Way of Looking at The Treatment of Mood Disorders
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Current Scientific Evidence Supporting Ketamine Therapy - Part I
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Current Scientific Evidence Supporting Ketamine Therapy - Part II
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: Practical Clinical Aspects of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: The Ketamine Infusion Protocol
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2018 – Grass G: Optimizing Outcomes and Expanding Indications for Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Institute Training Program for Physicians, January 2018

2016 – Grass G: Ultra-rapid Outpatient Opioid Detoxification Using a Novel Enhanced Multimodal Ketamine Infusion. International Conference on Opioids, Boston, MA June 2016

2016 – Grass G: Sequential Ketamine Infusions Utilizing an Enhanced Multimodal Infusion Technique (eMIT) for Rescue from Intractable Pain and Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Intrathecal Pump Misadventue. American Society of Regional Anesthesia Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA, March 2016

2016 – Grass G: Sequential Ketamine Infusions Utilizing an Enhanced Multimodal Infusion Technique (eMIT) for Rescue from Intractable Pain and Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Intrathecal Pump Misadventue. American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA, Feburary 2016

2015 – Grass G: Ketamine Intravenous Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain. Department of Defense - Walter Reed Medical Center Pain Management Grand Rounds. November 2015.

2015 – Grass G: Ketamine - A Molecular "Re-Set Button" for Chronic Pain and Depression. Region 2 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 5 through VISN 8 Primary Care Providers, September

2013 – Grass G: Ketamine Intravenous Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Mood Disorders. VA Connecticut Healthcare System and Yale School of Medicine Teaching Rounds. January 2013.

2012 – Bellmore W, Grass G: Complex regional Pain Syndrome – Part 2. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, August 2 nd.

2012 – Grass G: Medicolegal Aspects of Pain Medicine – Part 2. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, June 21st.

2012 – Grass G: Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO – A Transformational Approach To Specialty Care Consultation - Presented to the VISN 1 and VISN 2 Leadership Group for VA Redesign, June 11th.

2012 – Grass G: Medicolegal Aspects of Pain Medicine – Part 1. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, June 7th.

2012 – Grass G:L Pain Medicine for Primary Care – Presented to the Center of Excellence Group for Primary Care Education at VISN 1, May 6th.

2012 – Grass G: Interventional Options in Pain Medicine. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, March 1st.

2012 – Grass G: Radiological Anatomy “What is that Radiologist Talking About”. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, February 16th.

2012 – Grass G: Low back Examination Techniques. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, February 2nd.

2012 – Grass G: Introduction to Chronic Spinal Pain. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, January 19th.

2012 – Grass G: Pain is Pain…or is it? Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, January 5th.

2011 – Grass G: MRI Findings and Pain Plan of Care Development. Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO Telemedicine Presentation. VISN 1 through VISN 4 Primary Care Providers, November 3 rd.

2011 – Region 1 VA SCAN-ECHO – A Transformational Approach To Speciality Care Consultation - Presented to the VISN 1 and VISN 2 Leadership Group for VA Redesign, June 11th.

2011 – Pain Medicine for Primary Care – Presented to the Center of Excellence Group for Primary Care Education at VISN 1, May 6th.

2011 – Pain Medicine Survival Guide – Presented to the Primary Care Service of VA Connecticut at an educational forum sponsored by the PRIME Center and the Donaghue Research Foundation, March 31th.

2009 - VHA VISN 1 Pain Summit presentation: The Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, Bedford, MA, November 30, 2009

2009 – Yale-VA Connecticut Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds presentation; Chronic Opioid Therapy for Non-malignant Pain; Confusion, Controversy and Consensus, May 14th, 2009

What patients are saying about the Restore Ketamine Infusion