American researchers have found that antidepressant mirtazapine is effective in treating apnea, reports Clinnix. net. In patients with apnea, there are numerous stops of respiration in the sleep, leading to unwanted awakenings. Because of sleep disorders, these people have significantly decreased efficiency, increased risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

According to the results obtained, taking mirtazapine at night reduces the number of breath stops by half and normalizes sleep.

Twelve patients took part in the study, at a sleep of which doctors observed in the clinic of the University of Illinois.

According to the researchers, the effectiveness of the antidepressant is due to its main pharmacological action - blocking the reverse neuronal capture of serotonin. Serotonin is involved both in mood formation, which is used in the therapy of depressive states, and in the regulation of sleep.

Currently, the symptoms of apnea are usually facilitated by mechanical devices that facilitate air access.

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