A Swedish study of 18,740 patients with dementia has found an association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and increased cognitive impairment. The research, published in BMC Medicine, monitored cognitive changes in patients enrolled in the Swedish Dementia Registry between 2007 and 2018.
The study’s findings suggest that higher doses of SSRIs may accelerate cognitive decline in dementia patients, with faster rates of decline in men than in women. However, differences in antidepressant types also emerged, with escitalopram associated with the fastest rate of cognitive decline.
The researchers caution that depression and individual variations in dementia severity may be confounding factors in the study’s results. Other experts have raised concerns about the study’s limitations, including potential bias due to the severity of depression and the type of antidepressants prescribed.
While the study’s findings are concerning, it is essential to note that SSRIs can still provide relief from symptoms such as aggressiveness, anxiety, and disrupted sleep in patients with dementia. The researchers are now exploring whether different subgroups of patients respond differently to various types of antidepressants, which may lead to more individualized care.
The study’s results highlight the need for further research into the effects of antidepressants on cognitive decline in dementia patients. As the authors acknowledge, there is substantial risk associated with this study design, and more robust study designs are necessary before bold conclusions can be made.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/dementia-antidepressants-ssri-neuroscience-sweden-health-2035528