Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Brain Activity Before Therapy Flags Vulnerability to Antidepressant Side Effects Reuters Health story at Medscape - "Changes in prefrontal cortex activity just prior to the start of antidepressant drug therapy may identify patients who are vulnerable to side effects, the results of a small study suggest. 'Surprisingly, the brain changes that signaled antidepressant side effects emerged before the start of drug,' Dr. Aimee M. Hunter from the University of California Neuropsychiatric Institute in Los Angeles told Reuters Health. The ability to identify individuals at risk for developing side effects would improve the success rate of antidepressant treatment, she said. Physicians might choose an antidepressant with a lower side-effect profile, start at a lower dose, or opt for psychotherapy alone." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].