A new study published by the Karolinska Institute suggests that antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 dementia patients and found that those taking antidepressants, especially SSRIs like escitalopram, citalopram, and sertraline, experienced faster cognitive deterioration compared to those not on medication.
The study’s lead author, Sara Garcia Ptacek, emphasizes the need for more tailored antidepressant choices in dementia care. While depression can worsen dementia symptoms, researchers aim to identify specific patient subgroups that may respond better or worse to different antidepressants. This individualized approach could help doctors make more informed treatment decisions.
Interestingly, the study found that some antidepressants had a milder effect on cognitive decline compared to others. For example, mirtazapine had less negative impact than escitalopram, an SSRI with the fastest decline rate.
The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to more effective dementia care and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in patients taking antidepressants. Future studies will explore whether specific dementia types or biomarkers influence how patients respond to different antidepressants.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/ssris-cognitive-decline-28439