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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
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Nitrous Oxide: an emerging novel treatment for treatment-resistant depression

Darin F Quach1, Victoria C de Leon1, Charles R Conway1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|December 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects many who do not respond to standard treatments. Nitrous oxide is emerging as a potential novel therapy for treatment-resistant depression, offering new hope.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • A significant portion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit resistance to conventional antidepressant therapies.
  • The STAR-D trial highlighted the need for novel therapeutic approaches for MDD.
  • Research has explored agents like ketamine targeting the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the psychiatric applications of nitrous oxide.
  • To discuss its current use, proposed mechanisms of action, and future directions in treating depression.
  • To explore nitrous oxide's potential as a novel therapeutic for treatment-resistant depression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical studies and research on nitrous oxide in psychiatric contexts.
  • Examination of proposed neurobiological mechanisms underlying nitrous oxide's antidepressant effects.
  • Analysis of current psychiatric applications and future research avenues.

Main Results:

  • Nitrous oxide, historically used for analgesia and anesthesia, shows promise in recent clinical studies for treatment-resistant depression.
  • Its mechanism of action, potentially involving the NMDA receptor, is under investigation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests efficacy where traditional antidepressants have failed.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrous oxide represents a potential novel therapeutic for major depressive disorder, particularly in treatment-resistant cases.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms and optimize its psychiatric application.
  • This review highlights knowledge gaps and potential future utilities of nitrous oxide in psychiatry.
Keywords:
Interventional psychiatryKetamineN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptorNitrous oxideTreatment-resistant depression (TRD)

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