NRx Pharmaceuticals has announced that its subsidiary, HOPE Therapeutics, has initiated patient care using the Ampa "one day" protocol for treatment-resistant depression, marking the first deployment of its kind in Florida and among the first nationwide. The protocol represents a significant advancement in mental health treatment by potentially reducing therapy duration from months to a single day while maintaining high efficacy rates.
The Ampa device combines a single day of transcranial magnetic stimulation with physician-prescribed D-cycloserine and lisdexamfetamine, which in peer-reviewed studies have shown response rates of 87% and remission rates of 72% in nonrandomized trials. This development is particularly important given that treatment-resistant depression affects millions of patients who have not responded to conventional antidepressant medications or traditional TMS protocols that typically require daily treatments over several weeks or months.
Under the direction of Medical Director Dr. Rebecca Cohen, HOPE clinics in Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Myers are now offering the protocol, with six Florida locations expected by year-end. Dr. Cohen stated that the results "have the potential to change the paradigm of TMS therapy" from months-long regimens to a rapid, one-day approach that may transform care for millions battling depression and PTSD. The expansion of this treatment protocol across Florida locations indicates growing clinical confidence in the approach and suggests potential for broader national implementation.
The importance of this development extends beyond immediate patient care to broader healthcare system implications. Traditional TMS treatments require patients to commit to daily sessions for 4-6 weeks, creating significant barriers including transportation challenges, time away from work, and treatment adherence issues. The one-day protocol could dramatically improve accessibility and reduce the burden on patients while potentially lowering overall healthcare costs through reduced treatment duration and improved outcomes. For more information about the company's broader therapeutic developments, visit https://ibn.fm/QWuh3.
This advancement comes at a critical time when mental health treatment accessibility remains a significant public health concern. The high response and remission rates reported in clinical studies suggest this approach could substantially improve outcomes for patients who have exhausted other treatment options. The combination of rapid intervention with demonstrated efficacy positions this protocol as a potential game-changer in mental healthcare delivery, offering hope to patients who have struggled with conventional treatments for depression and related conditions.
