Topic: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most disabling psychiatric disorders in the world. First-line treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) still have many limitations, including a resistance to treatment in 30% of patients and a delayed clinical benefit that is observed only after several weeks of treatment. Increasing clinical evidence indicates that the acute administration of psychedelic agonists of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR), such as psilocybin, to patients with MDD induce fast antidepressant effects, which persist up to five weeks. However,

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread mental health condition affecting over 280 million people worldwide and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Despite selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) being the first line of treatment for MDD, 30-40% of patients do not achieve remission, with chronic low-level inflammation linked to treatment resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen compared to the SSRI fluoxetine in a mouse model of inflamed depression. The objective was to explore whether anti-inflammatory dr

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbing thoughts, mental pictures (obsessions), and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Despite the current utilization of pharmacologically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy, persistent symptoms are reported in 40-60% of patients. Hence, we aim to analyze the levels of specific miRNAs and comprehensively evaluate the levels of serotonin, a pivotal neurotransmitter in the context of OCD. In the present study, blood serum was taken from peripheral whole blood s

This study aims to evaluate the contribution of extraembryonic sources of serotonin to prefrontal cortex (PFC) development and understand the placental role and mechanisms of serotonin supplementation to the foetus. To this end, we used mice deficient in serotonin production (TPH1 and TPH2 KO) and serotonin transporters (SERT and OCT3 KO). We assessed serotonin levels in placenta and embryonic brain during different phases of prenatal neurodevelopment using HPLC and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we evaluated the PFC maturation and serotonergic wiring by 3D brain ECi imaging in these mice.

Studies in animals and humans have shown that cortical neuroplasticity can be modulated by increasing serotonin levels by administering selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). However, little is known about the mechanistic background, especially the contribution of intracortical inhibition and facilitation, which depend on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. We aimed to explore the relevance of drivers of plasticity (glutamate- and GABA-dependent processes) for the effects of serotonin enhancement on tDCS-induced plasticity in healthy humans. A crossover, partially double-bli

Serotonin has been linked to a broad array of behavioral and affective states, yet technological limitations have historically constrained the interrogation of this circuitry. Originating from the raphe nuclei, the serotonin system exhibits distinct projections to both cortical and subcortical networks, engaging in widespread communication with downstream targets. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed pharmacological treatments for depression/anxiety, yet it is mostly unknown how they impact endogenous serotonin function. Notably, SSRIs take app

The entry of peripheral immune cells into brain border areas like the choroid plexus and meningesis established, but the mechanism regulating their infiltration and functional role is not fullyunderstood. Our study sheds light on the role of serotonin in the migration of these cells and theirinvolvement in the action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We found thatfluoxetine (FLX), which is known to boost available serotonin, led to a higher number of immunecells found in the brain (parenchyma and borders) of socially isolated mice. By employing spatial transcriptomics and sin

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. However, SSRIs are frequently ineffective and precision medicine approaches are strongly needed to optimize treatment efficacy. DNA methylation levels of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4m) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2m) genes have been suggested as predictive biomarkers of antidepressant efficacy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate SLC6A4m/TPH2m biomarker potential and compare with previous findings in an independent cohort of N=77 patients with major depressive disorder who were treat