Researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital have unveiled findings suggesting that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), specifically escitalopram, may enhance cognitive functions such as verbal memory while improving mood in patients with depression. Presented at the ECNP Conference in Milan and published in Biological Psychiatry, the study focused on the 5HT4 serotonin receptor, correlating its reduction with cognitive improvements in 90 depressed patients over eight weeks of treatment.
Brain scans revealed a 9% decrease in 5HT4 receptor levels after treatment, with better cognitive outcomes linked to less change in receptor levels. Lead researcher Vibeke Dam emphasized the significance of these results, proposing that targeting the 5HT4 receptor could optimize antidepressant therapies. Co-researcher Vibe Froekjaer noted that while these initial findings are promising, further research is needed to explore the implications for treating cognitive dysfunction in depressed patients. This study highlights serotonin’s critical role in mood and cognitive enhancement, paving the way for future therapeutic strategies.
Note: The study lacked a placebo control, indicating the need for further research to validate these findings.
Source: NewsMedical.net