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Research, development and consulting

The Norwegian Centre for Maritime and Diving Medicine engages in research in both maritime and diving medicine. The centre has close collaboration with several national and international research institutions.

En flåte av tre med hvitt seil ute på sjøen

The centre performs research and advice in maritime- and diving medicine. The research in the centre is important to provide good and up-to-date health services to seafarers and professional divers, contribute to the development of maritime and diving medicine, and to provide good counselling services.

Professional diving and research in diving medicine

The diving medical research is focused on professional diving, both offshore and inshore.

  • Registry studies on professional divers
  • Physiological, cellular and biochemical responses to diving

The centre has a hyperbaric cell laboratory for experimental studies. Here we can study the effects of pressure, oxygen, various inert gases and decompression on cellular and biochemical functions. Read more about the Hyperbaric Cell Lab here.

 

Within maritime medicine, we have research on

  • Selection medicine
  • Registry studies on seafarers

The centre is working to establish a Norwegian Maritime Health Register. The purpose is to collect health data about seafarers to provide a good professional basis for selection, HSE measures, research and development.

 

​Work from the centre

  • Fredrik Andreas Helgesen 2025. Targeting Platelets in Pharmacological DCS Treatment: What do we Know? A literature study investigating outcomes of antithrombotic drugs on platelet markers in the setting of decompression sickness. Research thesis in medicine. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Frode Selheim.
  • Oda Slettene Jensen & Sophie Weisshaar 2024. Trykkfallsykes påvirkning på erytrocytter, trombocytter og endotelceller. Research thesis in medicine. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Jon Magnus Haga.
  • Sigrid Bårdsdatter Haugnes og Minda Hansen-Møllerud 2024. Yrkesdykking og pulmonal oksygentoksisitet Biologiske mekanismer og effekter på lungehelse.Research thesis in medicine. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Thomas Blix Grydeland 
  • Even Ege Grønlund 2023. Extracellular vesicles in diving-related vascular stress and adaptation. Research thesis in medicine. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Jon Magnus Haga.
  • Sofie Breisnes Wormdahl 2023. Effect of simulated saturation diving on dopamine synthesis regulation. M.Sc. Molecular Biology. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Jan Haavik & Aurora Martinez (co-supervisors). The project was supported by Equinor
  • Marte Elise Eide & Marie Ryen Brabec 2022. Dopamine under pressure - A literature study on the effects of diving-conditions on dopaminergic neurotransmission and possible implications for improved safety of occupational diving. Research thesis in medicine. Supervisors: Rune Kleppe (main), Jon Magnus Haga.
  • Ronja Hesthammer. 2019. Tetrahydrobiopterin and nitric oxide synthesis after exposure to hyperoxia and simulated diving. An experimental study in human endothelial cells and healthy humans. PhD.
  • Vilhelm F Koefoed. 2018. A proper lookout. «En skikket utkikk». PhD.
     

  • Gulati S, Lygre SHL, Grønning M, Haga JM. 2025. Risk of acute somatic hospital admissions among seafarers: a registry-based study in Norway.  BMJ Open. 2025 Sep 2;15(9):e103837. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103837  

  • Carter T. 2025. Were there giants in those days: 40 years on from 1985?   Occup Med (Lond). 2025 Oct 1;75(7):401-402. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaf068 

  • Nikolić N, Jon Magnus H, Briggs S, Stannard S, Stelzer B, Horneland AM, Carter T, Kavanagh B, Shackleton S. 2025. Maritime Health Onboard - Treatment Pathways IMHF Expert Panel Consensus Statement. Int Marit Health. 2025;76(1):28-32. doi: 10.5603/imh.104147

  • MacDonald HJ, Kleppe R, Szigetvari PD, Haavik J. 2024. The dopamine hypothesis for ADHD: An evaluation of evidence accumulated from human studies and animal models.  Front Psychiatry. 2024 Nov 15;15:1492126. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492126

  • Szigetvari PD, Patil S, Birkeland E, Kleppe R, Haavik J. 2023. The effects of phenylalanine and tyrosine levels on dopamine production in rat PC12 cells. Implications for treatment of phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia type 1 and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurochem Int. 2023 Dec;171:105629. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105629

  • Roberts SE, John A, Carter T, G Williams J. 2024. Suicide rates in the UK Armed Forces, compared with the general workforce and merchant shipping during peacetime years since 1900.  BMJ Mil Health. 11;170(e2):e128-e133. doi: 10.1136/military-2022-002309

  • Nikolić N, Haga JM, Tülsner J, Årland PO, Horneland AM, Kavanagh B, Seidenstucker K, Briggs S, Lund-Kordahl I, Pernilla CS. 2023.  Medical training of seafarers: International Maritime Health Foundation (IMHF) Expert Panel Consensus Statement.  Int Marit Health. 2023;74(1):15-23. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2023.0002

  • Sundal E, Lygre SHL, Irgens Å, Troland K, Grønning M. 2022. Long-term neurological sequelae after decompression sickness in retired professional divers.  J Neurol Sci.;434:120181. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120181 

  • Bueno-Carrasco MT, Cuéllar J, Flydal MI, Santiago C, Kråkenes TA, Kleppe R, López-Blanco JR, Marcilla M, Teigen K, Alvira S, Chacón P, Martinez A, Valpuesta JM. 2022. Structural mechanism for tyrosine hydroxylase inhibition by dopamine and reactivation by Ser40 phosphorylation.  Nat Commun. 2022 Jan 10;13(1):74. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27657-y

  • Kleppe R, Waheed Q, Ruoff P. 2021.  DOPA Homeostasis by Dopamine: A Control-Theoretic View.  Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Nov 28;22(23):12862. doi: 10.3390/ijms222312862

  • Nygaard G, Szigetvari PD, Grindheim AK, Ruoff P, Martinez A, Haavik J, Kleppe R, Flydal MI. 2021.  Personalized Medicine to Improve Treatment of Dopa-Responsive Dystonia-A Focus on Tyrosine Hydroxylase Deficiency.  J Pers Med.;11(11):1186. doi: 10.3390/jpm11111186  

  • Cannon Homaei S, Barone H, Kleppe R, Betari N, Reif A, Haavik J. 2022. ADHD symptoms in neurometabolic diseases: Underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.  Neurosci Biobehav Rev.;132:838-856. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.012 

  • Djurhuus R. 2021.  Fumigation on bulk cargo ships: a chemical threat to seafarers.  Int Marit Health. 2021;72(3):206-216. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2021.0039 

  • Roberts SE, Carter T, Smith HD, John A, Williams JG. 2021. Forgotten fatalities: British military, mining and maritime accidents since 1900.  Occup Med (Lond).;71(6-7):277-283. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqab108  

  • Waløen K, Jung-Kc K, Vecchia ED, Pandey S, Gasparik N, Døskeland A, Patil S, Kleppe R, Hritz J, Norton WHJ, Martinez A, Haavik J. 2021. Cysteine Modification by Ebselen Reduces the Stability and Cellular Levels of 14-3-3 Proteins.  Mol Pharmacol.;100(2):155-169. doi: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000184 

  • Stannard S. 2020. COVID-19 in the maritime setting: the challenges, regulations and the international response. Int Marit Health. 2020;71(2):85-90. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0016  

  • Hesthammer R, Dahle S, Storesund JP, Eide T, Djurhuus R, Svardal AM, Thorsen E. 2020. Nitric oxide in exhaled gas and tetrahydrobiopterin in plasma after exposure to hyperoxia. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2020 Second Quarter;47(2):197-202. doi: 10.22462/04.06.2020.4  

  • Koefoed VF, Miles T, Cason JB, Troche R. 2020.  Colour vision classification - comparing CAD and CIE 143:2001 International recommendations for colour vision requirements in transport.  Acta Ophthalmol. 2020 Nov;98(7):726-735. doi: 10.1111/aos.14450  

  • Carter T, John A, Williams JG, Roberts SE. 2020. Suicide, fatal injuries and drowning among the crews of United Kingdom and Bermuda registered cruise and passenger ships from 1976 to 2018.  Int Marit Health. 2020;71(1):12-19. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0006  

  • Dahl E. 2020. Medical ultrasound on cruise ship.  Int Marit Health. 2020;71(1):10-11. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0005

  • Dahl E. 2020. Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess. Int Marit Health. 2020;71(1):5-8. doi: 10.5603/MH.2020.0003  

  • Dahl E.  2019.  Large-scale helicopter rescue of cruise passengers and freighter crew off the coast of Norway in stormy weather.  Int Marit Health. 2019;70(2):79-81. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2019.0012

  • Horneland, AM. Et al. 2019. Establishment of the International Maritime Health Foundation: the next step in scientific publishing in maritime health. International Maritime Health, 69, 3;153-156.
  • Hesthammer, R., Eide, T., Thorsen, E., Svardal, A.M. and Djurhuus, R. 2019. Decrease of tetrahydrobiopterin and NO-generation in endothelial cells exposed to simulated diving. Undersea Hyperb. Med., 46: 159-169.
  • Hesthammer, R., Eide, T., Thorsen, E., Svardal, A.M. and Djurhuus, R. 2019. Hyperoxia and lack of ascorbic acid deplete tetrahydrobiopterin without affecting NO generation in endothelial cells. Undersea Hyperb. Med., 46: 509-519.
  • Åsmul K., Irgens, Å., Grønning, M., Møllerløkken, A. 2017. Diving and long-term cardiovascular health. Occup. Med. (Lond). 67:371-376.
  • Irgens, Å., Troland, K., Grønning, M. 2017. Female professional divers. Similarities and differences between male and female professional divers. Int. Marit. Health., 68: 60-67.
  • Irgens, Å., Troland, K., Djurhuus, R. and Grønning, M. 2016. Diving exposure and health effects in divers working in different areas of professional diving. Int. Marit. Health, 67: 235-242.
  • Irgens, Å., Djurhuus, R. and Grønning, M. 2015. Mortality among retired offshore divers in Norway. Int. Marit. Health, 66: 93-96.
  • Irgens, Å., Troland, K., Thorsen, E., Grønning, M. 2013. Mortality among professional divers in Norway. Occup. Med. (Lond), 63: 537-543.
  • Irgens, Å., Grønning, M. 2013. Cancer risk among professional inshore divers in Norway. Int. Marit. Health. 64: 202-206.
  • Sundal, E., Irgens, Å., Troland, K., Thorsen, E., Grønning, M. 2013. Prevalence and causes of loss of consciousness in former North Sea occupational divers. Int. Marit. Health, 64:142-147.
     

  • Carter, T. 2020. From Sail to Steam. Changing health risks and requirements for seafarers. Topmast; 11-15.
  • Recommendations for Ship Medical Facilities.
  • Bråtveit, M., Djurhuus, R., Kirkeleit, J. and Hollund, B.E. 2018. Review of human health risks and prevention practises during handling of fumigated containers in ports. Report for the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), Dept. Occup. Med., Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, 53 pp. ISSN: 1831-9343; ISBN: 978-92-9496-814-2; doi: 10.2802/16959.
  • Djurhuus, R. og Bråtveit, M. 2018. Skadedyrbekjempelse med pesticider – en risikofaktor for havnearbeidere og skipsmannskap. Navigare, 2-2018: 22-24.
  • Bråtveit, M., Djurhuus, R., Kirkeleit, B.E. og Hollund, B.E. 2017. Fraktkontainere og pesticider, - helsefare ved tømming?. Yrkeshygienikeren, 3-2017: 3-6.
     


Last updated 4/30/2026