Research in mice shows why some antidepressant help some stroke victims

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/jhm-rim083115.php

Public Release: 31-Aug-2015
Research in mice shows potential value of antidepressant in some stroke victims
Experiments shed light on how a generic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor may help human stroke victims
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working with mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have added to evidence that a commonly prescribed antidepressant called fluoxetine helps stroke victims improve movement and coordination, and possibly why.

Specifically, the researchers say, their experiments suggest the drug, often sold under the trade name Prozac, prolongs the time after a stroke during which physical therapy remains effective for recovering lost motor function.

The study, which may help explain the benefit of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors already seen in stroke patients, holds potentially great value for those too ill immediately after an ischemic stroke to start the intensive rehabilitation therapy needed to recover lost motor functions. Ischemic strokes are marked by the sudden loss of blood circulation to the brain caused by a clot.

"For rehabilitation to be effective, it needs to start as soon after a stroke as possible," says Steven Zeiler, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and lead author of the study reported in the October issue of the journal Stroke. "But with this study, we've shown that in mice, we can extend the time period during which rehabilitative intervention has an effect on meaningful recovery."

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