Summary: A new study suggests that SSRIs, commonly prescribed antidepressants, may reduce biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease. In a cohort of 191 individuals, AD patients on SSRIs had lower levels of plasma phosphorylated tau-181, a key indicator of disease severity.
Brain scans also showed that SSRIs restored metabolic activity in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), an early site of tau accumulation and serotonin production. This metabolic recovery was not observed in healthy individuals, suggesting a disease-specific effect.
Key Facts:
- Reduced Tau Biomarkers: AD patients on SSRIs had significantly lower levels of p-tau181, a blood-based marker of tau pathology.
- Restored Brain Activity: SSRIs reversed hypometabolism in the dorsal raphe nucleus, a serotonin-rich region and early site of Alzheimer’s damage.
- Mixed…