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New MRI Studies Show SSRIs Bring Rapid Changes to Brain Function

Posted by timothy on from the depressing-thought-or-perhaps-not dept.

A story at the Los Angeles Times reports that researchers at the Max Planck Institute have found that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, various of which are widely used in anti-depressant medications, cause changes in healthy subjects' brain architecture just hours after ingestion. As the article mentions, one reason that this rapid change is surprising is that patients taking SSRIs to treat depression typically take considerably longer (weeks) to perceive a change in mood. A slice from the story: When more serotonin was available, this resting state functional connectivity decreased on a broad scale, the study found. This finding was not particularly surprising -- other studies have shown a similar effect in brain regions strongly associated with mood regulation. But there was a two-fold shock: Some areas of the brain appeared to buck the trend and become more interdependent. And all the changes were evident only three hours after the single dosage. ... The rapid connectivity shifts noted by the study might therefore be precursors to longer-term changes, perhaps starting with remodeling of synapses, the microscopic gaps where chemical neurotransmitters such as serotonin flood across to an adjacent brain cell, the study suggests. But this type of brain scanning can’t pick up changes at such a scale, so the hypothesis will have to be tested other ways[.] ... Study subjects did not have diagnoses of depression, so researchers will need to generate similar maps among those diagnosed with depression, and re-map them during and after depressive episodes, as well as after treatment, Sacher said. Comparisons might then show whether a certain initial architecture predicts treatment success.

4 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. mostly clarity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I found that the SSRI that I took for a total of about 18 months (for diagnosed depression) was mostly helpful in allowing me some clarity to so that I could identify, build and grow the coping mechanisms that helped me maintain clarity without the SSRI. I've been free of needing the drug now for about 8 years and have found ways to cope on my own (changing my mind among others as Tim Leary used to say)...

    1. Re:mostly clarity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      that you had a unrealistically pessimistic view of the world and the SSRI caused you to have a less pessimistic view of the world

      You seem to assume that "depressed" means "unhappy" or "pessimistic". I've had depression for almost a decade while being happy and successful and an overall optimistic person who looked forward to his work day and time with friends and family.

      I had a lack of energy and motivation, but I enjoyed being with people and doing stuff, but I relied on others to motivate me and I always wanted to sleep and do nothing. I also had anxiety, not a "fear" of anything, just my mind would race when I felt stress. I tried an SSRI, but I almost immediately got an adrenaline rush off of it with only a half dose that left me with almost no sense of pain, exaggerated movements, huge amounts of energy, and a 140 pulse that wouldn't let up for almost an hour. I eventually had to immediately see a doctor who gave me something else to counteract it. I had a few bruises and sore joints and tendons after that.

      Eventually my doctor got me on Lorazepam for when I felt strong anxiety. After several months of using Lorazepam whenever I had my attacks, I noticed I got anxiety less and less. I have not had an anxiety attack in 6 months now and I now feel more energetic and I want to go out and do things, starting to exercise again, even taking up learning a new language. I'm also finding that I can think clearer and remember stuff distinctly easier. I'm just glad I haven't had to use Lorazepam in a long while.

      I find it interesting that my ability to concentrate and remember is better than ever. I grew up with A.D.D. from kindergarten on, which continued to cause me issues up until very recently. A lot of my A.D.D. issues have subsided after my anxiety went away. No idea.I only used Lorazepam for a little bit, but it seems to have been a miracle worker in my case.

  2. Interesting by DaMattster · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The study is interesting however, it is notable that no one studied had a diagnosis of depression. It so happens that I am autistic and have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and suffer from Major Depressive Disorder. Being autistic, I have certain stimuli that I am very sensitive to and others not so much. I noticed almost an immediate difference when I started to take Prozac. I've always been sensitive to medicines and I noticed some initial feelings along the lines of things seemed clearer somehow.

  3. Prementrual Dysphoria by godel_56 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    SSRIs are also the preferred treatment for PMDD and in small doses, about 5% of the usual dose for depression.

    In this application it also works almost immediately, no waiting 6 weeks for something to happen. The original article I saw speculated that it affects the amount of GABA in the brain.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premenstrual_dysphoria