Ketamine Institute
Medical Director
The Ketamine Institute - Leading The Way In Ketamine Therapy
Putting the pieces together requires
someone with a new way of thinking.
Dr. Grass founded the Ketamine Institute to pioneer the development of RESTORE Ketamine Infusion Therapy. This unique ketamine based infusion protocol represents the next generation and advancement in the rapid, safe and effective treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain.
We know that we need to view complex illness as the result of "system reorganization" within the mind and the body. What we currently know about medicine is only the beginning, the mechanistic view. We understand that is vitally important to incorporate a broader view by including discoveries in memory, learning theory, and neurocognition if we want to make true progress.
Our Medical Director
Gerald W. Grass, MD is an internationally known and respected physician. Prior to founding the Ketamine Institute, he served as Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine where the original ketamine infusion was first discovered and also served as the Director of the Yale Pain Medicine Fellowship Program.
Dr. Grass has pioneered the development of the RESTORE Infusion, the next generation of ketamine therapy, and has established the first international training program for physician in the use of ketamine to rapidly alleviate treatment resistant mood disorders and intractable chronic pain.
He is a widely published author and lecturer who has numerous academic publications including peer-reviewed articles, academic presentations, abstracts and book chapters. He has taught at some of the most prestigious academic and research institutions in the country including Yale University School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center/Icahn School of Medicine in New York City and the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine.
As a former Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Grass had the opportunity and privilege of working with members of the Department of Psychiatry in the clinical use and application of ketamine to treat mood and addiction disorders. This included collaborating with members of the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University who published the first randomized, placebo controlled trial on the use of ketamine in patients with treatment resistant major depression (Berman RM, Krystal JH, et. al. Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients, Biol Psychiatry 2000; 47(4): 351-354).
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 the suffering of patients with chronic pain and depression. He has presented his breakthrough work in regional and national meetings and conferences, as well as, to other physicians and governmental organizations around the country. Dr. Grass is often 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. All of which have served to give 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.
ACADEMICS
Yale University School of Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
and Pain Management
Director, Pain Medicine
Fellowship Program
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Department of Pain Medicine
Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York
Department of Anesthesiology
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department of Neurological Surgery
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department of General Surgery
Founder and Course Director
The first International Ketamine Infusion Therapy Training Program for Psychiatrists and other Physicians. This comprehensive program, developed over 15 years, is the only training course for physicians that meets or exceeds the American Psychiatric Association consensus recommendation for ketamine therapy and the American Society of Anesthesiology guidelines for monitoring and airway management requirements.
Gerald W. Grass, MD and The Ketamine Institute is leading the way in the field of ketamine infusion therapy and physician education with our new ketamine infusion training program. We’re on a mission to accelerate the health care revolution. We have pioneered ketamine infusion therapy to bring the latest breakthrough discoveries about ketamine out of the research lab and into a physician’s office near you.
Academic Presentation - Lectures
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, Palm Springs, CA, 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.
PUBLICATIONS
Book Chapter
Essentials of Pain Management
Grass, GW. Management of Neuropathic Pain in Essentials of Pain Management, An Overview. Vadivelu, N, Hines, R and Urman, R, eds. Springer Press 2011
Book Chapter
Behavioral and Phychopharmacologic Pain Management
Grass, GW. Management of Spinal Disease in Behavioral and Psychopharmacologic Pain Management. Ebert, M and Kerns R, eds.Cambridge University Press 2011
Book Chapter
Pocket Pain Medicine
Grass, GW. Neuropathic Pain in Pocket Pain Medicine. Vadivelu, N and Jahr, J eds. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2011.
Translational Medicine Research - Postpartum 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
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 18
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