What does ssri stand for

Pro Research Analysisby

Searched over 200M research papers

Analyzed relevant papers

Understanding SSRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

What Does SSRI Stand For?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs commonly used to treat depression and other mood disorders. The term "SSRI" stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which highlights their primary function in the brain .

Mechanism of Action: How SSRIs Work

SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood regulation. By inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into neurons, SSRIs ensure that more serotonin is available in the synaptic space, thereby enhancing mood and alleviating symptoms of depression 12.

Clinical Use and Effectiveness

SSRIs are widely prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other mood-related conditions. They are often the first choice of treatment due to their efficacy and relatively favorable side effect profile compared to older antidepressants 14. Studies have shown that SSRIs can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in both adults and adolescents, although caution is advised due to potential risks such as increased suicidal ideation in younger populations .

Genetic Factors in SSRI Response

The response to SSRI treatment can vary significantly between individuals. Research by the International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC) has aimed to identify genetic variations that may influence how patients respond to SSRIs. Although some promising genetic markers have been identified, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand their clinical implications .

Withdrawal and Discontinuation Symptoms

One important consideration in SSRI treatment is the potential for withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include dizziness, nausea, and mood disturbances. These symptoms typically appear within a few days of stopping the medication and can last for several weeks. Gradual tapering of the dose is recommended to minimize these effects .

Conclusion

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a cornerstone in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, thereby improving mood and alleviating depressive symptoms. While generally effective, the response to SSRIs can vary, and discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Ongoing research continues to explore the genetic factors influencing SSRI efficacy and the best practices for their use in different populations.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Depression: The Growing Mental Disease and its Treatment by SSRI

SSRI's are the most widely used and effective treatment for depression in teenagers.

2018·

0citations

·D. Yadav

Withdrawal Symptoms after Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation: A Systematic Review

SSRIs can cause withdrawal symptoms when discontinue, and the term 'discontinuation syndrome' should be replaced with 'withdrawal syndrome' to better describe these vulnerabilities.

Systematic ReviewHighly Cited

2015·

329citations

·G. Fava et al.

The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC): a genome-wide association study of antidepressant treatment response

Genetic variation in HPRTP4/VSTM5 and NRG1 may contribute to response to SSRI treatment for major depressive disorder, but no significant genome-wide associations were found.

Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2015·

124citations

·J. Biernacka et al.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depressive disorders in children and adolescents.

SSRIs show potential in reducing depression symptoms in children and adolescents, but their effectiveness is limited by methodological issues and potential increased risk of suicidal outcomes.

Meta-AnalysisHighly Cited

2007·

181citations

·S. Hetrick et al.

Meta-analysis of the dose-response relationship of SSRI in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Higher doses of SSRIs are associated with greater efficacy in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, but may have a greater side-effect burden.

Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2010·

241citations

·M. Bloch et al.

Treating Chronic Pain with SSRIs: What Do We Know?

SSRIs show some effectiveness in treating chronic pain conditions, but further high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2016·

86citations

·Elias Patetsos et al.

Maternal SSRI exposure increases the risk of autistic offspring: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Prenatal exposure to SSRIs is associated with a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

72citations

·S. Andalib et al.

Effects of SSRIs on peripheral inflammatory markers in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

SSRI treatment for major depressive disorder shows moderate immunomodulating effects, suggesting some of its therapeutic effect may be due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

133citations

·Lina Wang et al.

Review on Surface-Modified Electrodes for the Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Surface-modified electrodes using functional materials can enhance the sensitive detection and quantification of SSRIs in human fluids and the environment, improving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing toxic effects.

2023·

3citations

·Simone C. L. Barry et al.

Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and SSRI tolerability: review of pharmacogenetic evidence

The S allele of 5-HTTLPR may predict increased adverse event burden during SSRI therapy, with the most convincing evidence in antidepressant-induced mania and gastrointestinal adverse events.

Systematic Review

2017·

1citation

·Jing Zhu et al.

Try another search

stages of anxiety

what vitamin does the sun provide

folic acid foods

anxiety patient education

symptoms of anxiety in men

personality depression disorder