A new research study
finds a single dose of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor produces dramatic changes in the
human brain.
Brain scans taken before and after one dose shows a reduction of connectivity throughout the brain, with an increase of connectivity in two separate regions in just three hours.
They are known for having fewer side effects than older pills and work by increasing levels of serotonin, a brain chemical naturally produced by your body.
While serotonin serves many roles within your brain, chiefly it balances mood.
For the current research, 22 medication-free participants shows that minds wander for about 15 minutes while their brains were scanned with an fMRI, a technology capable of measuring oxygenation of blood flow.
Meanwhile, the researchers analyzed the three-dimensional images of each participant’s brain and measured the number of connections between small blocks of neurons known as voxels.
After giving each volunteer a single dose of Lexapro (escitalopram), the researchers carefully observed the changes in those connections.
Immediately, the researchers felt surprised to discover the speed with which one dose of the SSRI performed.
Within a matter of hours, it had reduced the level of intrinsic connectivity in most parts of the brain, while increasing connectivity within two regions: the cerebellum and thalamus.
The cerebellum is responsible for, among other tasks, controling motor skills and balance, while the thalamus regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
"We were not expecting the SSRI to have such a prominent effect on such a short timescale or for the resulting signal to encompass the entire brain," said Dr. Julia Sacher of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and an author of the study.
Sacher believes better understanding of the differences in individual response to SSRIs "could help to better predict who will benefit from this kind of antidepressant versus some other form of therapy.”
SOURCE: Medicaldaily
Brain scans taken before and after one dose shows a reduction of connectivity throughout the brain, with an increase of connectivity in two separate regions in just three hours.
What are SSRIs?
Worldwide, SSRIs are among the most widely prescribed form of antidepressants, often used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and personality disorders.They are known for having fewer side effects than older pills and work by increasing levels of serotonin, a brain chemical naturally produced by your body.
While serotonin serves many roles within your brain, chiefly it balances mood.
For the current research, 22 medication-free participants shows that minds wander for about 15 minutes while their brains were scanned with an fMRI, a technology capable of measuring oxygenation of blood flow.
Meanwhile, the researchers analyzed the three-dimensional images of each participant’s brain and measured the number of connections between small blocks of neurons known as voxels.
After giving each volunteer a single dose of Lexapro (escitalopram), the researchers carefully observed the changes in those connections.
Immediately, the researchers felt surprised to discover the speed with which one dose of the SSRI performed.
Within a matter of hours, it had reduced the level of intrinsic connectivity in most parts of the brain, while increasing connectivity within two regions: the cerebellum and thalamus.
The cerebellum is responsible for, among other tasks, controling motor skills and balance, while the thalamus regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
"We were not expecting the SSRI to have such a prominent effect on such a short timescale or for the resulting signal to encompass the entire brain," said Dr. Julia Sacher of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and an author of the study.
Sacher believes better understanding of the differences in individual response to SSRIs "could help to better predict who will benefit from this kind of antidepressant versus some other form of therapy.”
SOURCE: Medicaldaily
0 comments:
Post a Comment