Selective serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the 5-HT noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, are mainstays in treatment for depression. The highly specific actions of SSRIs of enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission appears to explain their benefit, while lack of direct actions on other neurotransmitter systems is responsible for their superior safet...

BACKGROUND This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in 2005 on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for preventing migraine and tension-type headache. The original review has been split in two parts and this review now only regards migraine prevention. Another updated review is under development to cover tension-type headache.Migraine is a common disorder....

OBJECTIVE To summarize the literature on use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants for pregnant and breastfeeding women. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION MEDLINE was searched over the past 9 years. An examination of the literature over the last 8 years was included in this review. Primary studies consist of prospective investigations and case studies. E...

Trichotillomania is term used to denote an irresistible urge to pull one’s own hair. It is classified under ‘Habit and Impulse Disorders’. There are few reports of familial occurrence of trichotillomania but none on response to the same SSRI among family members afflicted with trichotillomania. We present a young girl with trichotillomania, who had a family history in her mother. Both responded...

OBJECTIVE We investigated oxyhemoglobin change in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who showed different responses to pharmacotherapy during neuropsychological tasks with near-infrared spectroscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 42 patients with OCD (mean age: 35.6±9.6 years, 14 men, 28 women) and healthy control subjects (mean age: 35.4±9.7 ye...

BACKGROUND There has been a long-standing controversy about the possibility that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants might induce suicidality in some patients. METHODS Starting from the clinical studies that gave rise to this issue, this paper reviews an unselected cohort of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), a series of meta-analyses undertaken to investigate aspect...

AIMS Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with serotonin depletion in platelets, potentially leading to abnormal aggregation and prolonged bleeding time. In view of the importance of serotonin in coronary thrombosis, and decreased platelet serotonin concentrations associated with SSRIs, the present study was performed to test the hypothesis of a decreased risk of...

BACKGROUND Many commonly used medications are associated with causing delirium, especially those with notable direct effects on the brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are probably the most often prescribed antidepressants and are known for their favourable side-effect profile. METHODS Medline and Toxline databases were searched for case reports of delirium caused by SSRIs....

BACKGROUND Studies have raised concern about an association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of all singleton live births in Denmark from 1996 through 2005 (626,875 births), with follow-up through 2009. Using Danish population registries, ...

Use of antidepressant medications that act on the serotonin system has been linked to detrimental impacts on bone mineral density (BMD), and to osteoporosis. This article reviews current evidence for such effects, and identifies themes for future research. Serotonin receptors are found in all major types of bone cell (osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts), indicating an important role of th...