No new antidepressant drugs have been introduced since the 90s. Østfold Hospital is now the first public health service to use the new treatment method and, importantly, it has had good research results.
Research shows that the anesthetic in question has a quick effect on two-thirds of all depressed patients. Treatment-related side effects are mild and transient, he says Sykehuset Østfold on their website.
– The drug has also been shown to be very effective against suicidal thoughts. Many studies describe a rapid reduction of symptoms after treatment administration of a single dose. This is according to department head Ingmar Clausen from DPS north Østfold from the same source.
According to Clausen, the diagnosis affects between four and seven people each year percentage of the adult population of Norway.
– Considering that there have been no new drugs for depression since the 90s. This is what therapy is an important complement to combat with this disease - he says.
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. Renews brain structures
The drug in question is called ketamine. It's basically a drug used as a means anesthetic and analgesic. The hospital says ketamine has been used as a safe anesthetic during surgery since the 70s.
Ketamine restores brain structures and normalizes the function of the frontal lobe, also known as the thinking brain. Moreover, it also restores the balance between the brain's resting and executive networks. The effects of ketamine should facilitate the attachment of more appropriate thought patterns, emotions and behavior.
The treatment is administered intravenously and lasts about 40 minutes while the patient is awake. He seems to be relaxing. IN within a few hours there is often a significant improvement in mood. The full effect is achieved in one day. According to hospital most peoplewho have a reaction to ketamine, notice this after the first treatment.
The first in the country
Treatment with ketamine is carried out after consultation with the hospital. Of course, based on the head's decision emergency department at the District Psychiatric Clinic (DPS).
A treatment method that has so far been used only in two private clinics in this country. Currently, there is cooperation between the DPS emergency service in the hospital in Kalnes and the adult psychiatric clinic in Moss, both of which are organized within DPS north Østfold. The section is the first in the public domain health care in Norwaythat offers this treatment.
– The start of treatment was well planned and we received expert guidance from Emergency Medicine Lwan Stewart. Who has rich experience with treatment method both from Norwayas well as the USA, says Clausen.
