Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Stroke

• Published in: Current neurology and neuroscience reports Vol. 18; no. 12; pp. 100 - 11
• Main Authors: Chollet, F., Rigal, J., Marque, P., Barbieux-Guillot, M., Raposo, N., Fabry, V., Albucher, J. F., Pariente, J., Loubinoux, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.12.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antidepressants; Clinical trials; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neurosciences; Recovery of function; Section Editor; Serotonin; Stroke; Stroke (H Diener; Systematic review; Topical Collection on Stroke; Neuroprotection; Recovery from stroke; Brain plasticity; SSRIs; Ischaemic stroke; Post-stroke depression
• ISSN: 1528-4042; 1534-6293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11910-018-0904-9

Purpose of Review The interest in SSRIs after stroke has increased in the past few years, with better knowledge of post-stroke depression and with the demonstrated capacity of some SSRIs to act on the functional recovery of non-depressed subjects. Recent Findings Arguments for the action of SSRIs in favour of post-stroke neurological function recovery have improved through new elements: basic science and preclinical data, positive clinical trials and repeated series of stroke patient meta-analysis, and confirmation of favourable safety conditions in post-stroke patients. Summary Global coherence is appearing, showing that SSRIs improve stroke recovery in non-depressed patients when given for 3 months after the stroke, with highly favourable safety conditions and a favourable benefit/risk ratio. Large series are still needed.