Antidepressants 'advance physical stroke recovery'
Friday 8th April 2011
Antidepressants could be used to improve the physical recovery of individuals who have suffered a stroke, a new study has suggested.
Stroke patients who underwent a short course of antidepressants were seen to experience a significantly improved recovery in comparison with those who received a placebo, according to the research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Additionally, the study found that the physical effect continued to improve for at least nine months after the antidepressant medication was stopped.
Co-author Harold Adams said: "If future studies confirm our observation regarding the use of antidepressant medications as an ancillary therapy given to people with stroke, including those without depression, the public health impact could be huge."
Meanwhile, a University of Alberta study has found that depressed individuals who are treated with antidepressants are much more likely to have recovered eight years later than those who do not receive the medication.
Written by Mathew Horton
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