Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (Oct 2020)

Sevoflurane augmentation in treatment-resistant depression: a clinical case study

  • Shikai Wang,
  • Shanfei Cheng,
  • Min Feng,
  • Ping Guo,
  • Mincai Qian,
  • Xinhua Shen,
  • Runsen Chen,
  • Gang Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125320957126
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Compared with other inhaled anaesthetics, sevoflurane has a faster onset and offset, causes less irritation to the mucous membranes, and has a better safety profile. These characteristics warrant investigating the effect of sevoflurane in depression. In this Case Report, we describe that sevoflurane treatment was feasible and well tolerated by a patient with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Sevoflurane had rapid and durable antidepressant effects, with few adverse effects. Moreover, the patient showed significant improvements in neurocognitive measurements. Our preliminary results suggest that further clinical trials are needed to determine the independent efficacy and safety of sevoflurane in patients with TRD.