New Study shows that early use of antidepressants in stroke patients may prevent development of depression and lower mortality risk
A study in the Journal American Medical Association shows that there is hope for stroke patients avoiding the development of depression—a very common problem in stroke patients. Stroke patients who were prescribed Lexapro (escitalopram) were far less likely (nearly five times less likely) to develop depression than patients who were given a placebo. The importance of this finding for stroke patients is that others studies have confirmed that stroke patients who are depressed are at greater risk for dying and have much more difficulty adjusting to and recovering from their stroke. This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.
The Bottom Line: Stroke patients who are prescribed antidepressants soon after their stroke may greatly lower their risk of developing depression with its associated higher mortality and poor adjustment.
Sources: Journal of American Medical Association, See blogposts in: Psychiatric Disorders: Depression
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates
of New England
www.psychopharmassociates.com