Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Antidepressant linked to worsening white matter in elderly

The results of a study employing serial cranial MRI suggest that elderly adults who use tricyclic antidepressants may be at increased risk for progression of white matter lesions, which have been linked with late-life depression by previous studies.

Still, the progression of these lesions may be the indication for use, or certain side effects, such as hypotension, may be directly responsible.

Late-life depression has been tied to white matter lesions on MRI. The contribution of the various antidepressant agents to this finding has been unclear. Prior research has suggested that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) inhibit platelet aggregation, which might be expected to slow progression of these lesions.

Dr. David C. Steffens, from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina and associates addressed this topic by comparing the initial and five-year follow-up MRI scans in 1829 adults, 65 years or older, who were not using antidepressants at baseline.

The use of an antidepressant from any class during the study period hastened the progression of white matter disease, according to the report in the March issue of Stroke.

READ MORE @ MEDICEXCHANGE