Biological psychiatry
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Biological psychiatry · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNitrous Oxide for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Proof-of-Concept Trial.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, such as ketamine, have rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). We hypothesized that nitrous oxide, an inhalational general anesthetic and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, may also be a rapidly acting treatment for TRD. ⋯ This proof-of-concept trial demonstrated that nitrous oxide has rapid and marked antidepressant effects in patients with TRD.