Laughing gas tested as Fast-Acting depression treatment for seniors

This study tested whether a one-hour treatment with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) could provide rapid relief from depression symptoms in older adults who haven't responded to standard antidepressants. Researchers compared nitrous oxide to regular medical air in 60 participants aged 60-90 with treatment-resistant depression. They measured changes in depression symptoms immediately after treatment and over two weeks, while also using brain scans to understand how the treatment might work.