Anti-depressants may help grow new brain cells.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential effects of anti-depressants on brain cell growth, exploring both the implications of this phenomenon and the broader context of their efficacy in treating depression and anxiety. Participants reference various studies and articles, raising questions about the reliability of findings and the side effects associated with these medications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find it interesting that anti-depressants may promote brain cell growth, suggesting potential for a "smart pill."
  • Others point out that the effectiveness of anti-depressants can be debated, with some studies indicating they may be no more effective than placebos.
  • Concerns are raised about the side effects of SSRIs, including anxiety, psychosis, and various neurological and behavioral issues.
  • A participant questions the timing and repetition of media coverage regarding the benefits of anti-depressants, suggesting a possible influence from pharmaceutical companies.
  • There is a discussion about whether "smartness" is influenced more by biological factors or environmental conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of anti-depressants, with no consensus reached on their efficacy or the implications of their potential to promote brain cell growth.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various studies and articles, but the discussion includes uncertainty regarding the reliability of these sources and the interpretations of their findings. There are also unresolved questions about the side effects of anti-depressants and their broader implications for mental health treatment.

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http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/72/81660.htm

i found this quite interesting that anti-depressants help the activity of increasing brain cells...
 
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Biology news on Phys.org
Originally posted by Kerrie
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/72/81660.htm

i found this quite interesting that anti-depressants help the activity of increasing brain cells...

Interesting! Perhaps this could lead to a smart pill.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
From the MSN article ..." it takes weeks for the drugs to have an effect on depression. "

There are many studies that say just the opposite . Some conclude that these medications are effective as or are similar to placebos , such as :

http://journals.apa.org/prevention/volume1/pre0010002a.html

http://www.journals.apa.org/prevention/volume5/pre0050023a.html

http://journals.apa.org/prevention/volume5/pre0050025c.html

Whom to believe ?

" Antidepressant drugs help people with depression and anxiety "

Many of the SSRI's have "anxiety" listed as a "frequent adverse effect " . Also listed as "frequently" occurring for some SSRI's are " psychosis and mania "

Checking Yale's website this report is almost three years old .

http://www.yale.edu/opa/newsr/00-12-15-01.all.html

Why the sudden repeat by major media ? According to the Yale news release , the drugs used were " ...amonoamineoxidase inhibitor (tranlcypromine), a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine), and a norepinephrine-selective reuptake inhibitor (reboxetine). "

Eli Lilly and Co. ( manufacturer of Prozac ) has the side effects listed for Fluoxetine :

Frequent - Prozac (Fluoxetine) Side Effects :

Allergic or Toxic:
Rash, Pruritus (skin inflammation).

Neurological:
Headache, Tremor, Dizziness, Asthenia.

Behavioral:
Insomnia, Anxiety, Nervousness, Agitation, Abnormal dreams, Drowsiness and fatigue.

Autonomic:
Excessive sweating

Gastrointestinal:
Nausea, Disturbances of appetite, Diarrhea.

Respiratory:
Bronchitis, Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes), Yawning.

Endocrine:
Weight loss.

Musculoskeletal:
Muscle pain, Back pain, Joint pain.

Urogenital:
Painful menstruation, Sexual dysfunction, Urinary tract infection, Frequent micturition.

Miscellaneous:
Chills

Infrequent - Prozac (Fluoxetine) Side Effects:

Allergic or Toxic: Chills and fever, Urticaria, Maculopapular rash.
Neurological: Abnormal gait, Ataxia, Akathisia, Buccoglossal syndrome, Hyperkinesia, Hypertonia, incoordination, Neck rigity, extrapyramidal syndrome, Convulsions, Photophobia, Myoclonus, Vertigo, Migraine, Tinnitus, Hypesthesia, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Acute brain syndrome.
Behavioral: Confusion, Delusions, Hallucinations, manic reaction, Paranoid reaction, Psychosis, Depersonalization, Apathy, Emotional Lability, Euphoria, Hostility, Amnesia, Increased libido.
Autonomic: Dry mouth, Constipation, Urinary retention, Vision disturbance, Diplopia, Mydriasis, Hot flushes.
Cardiovascular: Chest pain, Hypertension, Syncope, Hypotension, Angina pectoris, Arrhythmia, Tachycardia. Gastrointestinal: Vomiting, Stomatitis, Dysphagia, Eructation, Esophagitis, Gastritis, Gingivitis, Glossitis, Melena, Thirst, Abnormal liver function test.
Respiratory: Asthma, Dyspnea, Hyperventilation, Pneumonia, Hiccups, Epistaxis.
Endocrine: Generalized edema, Peripheral edema, Face edema, Tongue edema, Hypoglycemia, Hyperprolactinemia, Weight gain. Hematoligic: Anemia, Lymphadenopathy, Hemorrhage. Dermatologic: Acne, Alopecia, Dry skin, Herpes simplex,
Musculoskeletal: Arthritis, Bone pain, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, Twitching.
Urogenital: Abnormal ejactulation, Impotance, Menopause, Amenorrhea, Menorrhagia, Ovarian disorder, Vaginitis, Leukorrhea, Fibrocystic breast, Breast pain, Cystitus, Dysuria, Urinary urgency, Urinary incontinence.
Miscellaneous: Amblyopia, Conjunctivitis, Cyst, Ear pain, Eye pain, Jaw pain, Neck pain, Pelvic pain, Hangover effect and Malaise.

Rare - Prozac (Fluoxetine) Side Effects

Allergic or Toxic: Allergic reaction, Erythema multiforme, Vesiculobullous, Rash, Serum sickness, Contact dermatitis, Erthema nodosum, Purpuric rash, Leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Leukopenia, Thrombocythemia, Arthralgia, Angioedema, Bronchospasm, Lung fibrosis, Allergic alveolitis, Larynx edema and Respiratory distress.
Neurological: Dysarthria, Dystonia, torticollis, Decreased reflexes, Nystagmus, Paralysis, Paresthesia, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Stupor, Coma, Abnormal EEG, Chronic brain syndrome, Dyskinesia and movement disorders (including worsening of preexisting conditions or appearance in patients with risk factors {e.g., Parkinson's disease, treatment with neuroleptics or other drugs known to be associated with movement disorders})
Behavioral: Antisocial reaction, Hysteria, Suicidal ideation and violent behaviors. Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, Ventricular arrhythmia, First degree A V block, Bundle branch block, Myocardial infarct, Cerebral ischemia, Cerebral vascular accident, Thrombophlebitis.
Gastrointestinal: Bloody diarrhea, Hematemesis, Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Duodenal ulcer, Stomach ulcer, Mouth ulceration, Hyperchlorhydria, Colitis, Enteritis, Cholecystitis, Hepatitis, Hepatomegaly, Liver tenderness, Jaundice, Increased salivation, Salivary gland enlargement, Tongue discoloration, Fecal incontinence, Pancreatitis. Respiratory: Apnea, Lung edmea Hypoxia, Pleural effusion, Hemoptysis.
Endocrine: Dehydration, Gout, Goitre, Hyperthyrodism, Hypercholesteremia, Hyperglycemia, Hypothyroidism, Weight gain.
Hematologic: Bleeding time increased, Leukocytosis, Lymphocytosis, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombocytopenic purpura, Thrombocythemia, Retinal hemorrhage, Petechia, Purpura, Sedimentation rate increased, Aplastic anemia, Pancytopenia, Immune-related hemolytic anemia.
Dermatologic: Eczema, Psoriasis, Seborrhea, Skin hypertrophy, Skin discoloration, Herpes zoster, Fungal dermatitis, Hirsutism, Ecchymoses. Musculoskeletal: Bone necrosis, Osteoporosis, Pathological fracture, Chrondrodystrophy, Myositis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Muscle hemorrhage.
Urogenital: Breast enlargement, Galactorrhea, Abortion, Dyspareunia, Uterine spasm, Vaginal hemorrhage, Metrorrhagia, Hematuria, Albuminuria, Polyuria, Pyuria, Epididymitis, Orchitis, Pyelonephritis, Salpingitis, Urethritis, Kidney calculus, Urethral pain, Urolithiasis. Miscellaneous: Abdomen enlarged, Blepharitis, Cataract, Corneal lesion, Glaucoma, Iritis, Ptosis, Strabismus, Deafness, Taste loss, moniliasis, Hydrocephalus, LE syndrome.

---------------------------------

Note : Eli Lilly is a major contributor to Yale !
 
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Yes, I read that article a while back and thought it was interesting.

Interesting! Perhaps this could lead to a smart pill.

That would be great (because I would buy the entire stock of it) but that goes into that question on whether "smartness" is biological or environmental.
 

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