Xenon is finding application in treating brain injuries, since it is an antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA receptors). These receptors exacerbate the damage from oxygen deprivation and xenon performs better as a neuroprotectant than either ketamine or nitrous oxide, which have undesired side-effects. Xenon gas was added as an ingredient of the ventilation mix for a newborn baby at St. Michael's Hospital, Bristol, England, whose life chances were otherwise very compromised, and was successful, leading to the authorisation of clinical trials for similar cases.