Abstract

Abstract 

Nitrous Oxide has been used for medicinal purposes for almost two centuries. It is a colourless and odourless gas which provides anaesthesia, however is also inhaled as a drug of abuse for a feeling of euphoria. We will journey the history of nitrous oxide from the initial use of this substance in dentistry to its role as both an anaesthestic agent and a drug of abuse in society today.

Biograhic details

Dr Shilpan G Patel

Shilpan Patel is an advanced trainee in neurology at Auckland City Hospital. His secondary education was at Mount Roskill Grammar School, and he graduated MB ChB from the University of Auckland in 2018. In 2022 he passed the written and clinical components of the RACP examination, gaining the top mark in the clinical examination. He has been the Chief Medical Resident and Chief Neurology Registrar at Auckland Hospital. Shilpan has published about ten scientific papers including one on a rare genetic variant in the PINK1 gene in Polynesians with early onset Parkinson’s disease and another describing a potential founder effect in Maori and Pacific people with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. His main current research interest is moyamoya disease. While he has been a neurology registrar, he has written a paper on the spinal cord and peripheral nerve disease resulting from the poorly regulated availability and abuse of nitrous oxide. He has brought this problem to the attention of the media and the government, resulting in a change in legislation regarding the sale and possession of nitrous oxide. His efforts in this area were acknowledged last year when the Chief Medical Officer presented him with a special Staff Recognition Award.

Abstract