How does antidepressants affect a person with dementia

This could be the result of changes to the brain that occur in dementia.Antidepressant medications may not be more effective than placebos in the treatment of depression in older adults who also have dementia, and the risks of antidepressant treatment may outweigh the benefits, particularly if the depression is not severe, according to two studies published this year.Depression can negatively interfere with cognition and memory, impair social interactions and daily functioning.Depression may be both a prodrome and a risk factor for dementia.No evidence of an effect of antidepressants on cognitive function in patients with depression and dementia.

Helping the brain's 'waste disposal'.To determine the efficacy and safety of any type of antidepressant for patients who have been diagnosed as having dementia of any type and.After adjustment for age, sex, education, and depressive symptoms, the increase in dementia risk was only observed for antidepressants considered to be potentially inappropriate according to the.Measured 6 to 13 weeks after starting the treatment, there is little or no difference in participants' symptoms, but an increased chance of unwanted side effects.3 addressing depression can also help to reduce other behavioral symptoms and promote a better quality of life.

The use of antidepressants in dementia accompanied by depressive symptoms is widespread, but their clinical efficacy is uncertain.Anxiolytics can be a helpful treatment for people with alzheimer's disease, although they should be prescribed with care, and only after other kinds of treatment have proven ineffective.Antidepressants can be a valuable addition to an alzheimer's treatment plan.From the spring 2016 edition of care and cure magazine, a new study shows that a drug originally developed as an antidepressant may work to enhance the brain's 'waste disposal' and slow the progress of alzheimer's disease.Antidepressants could stave off dementia.