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link:https://nationalpost.com/health/antidepressants-may-be-doubling-risk-of-alzheimers-and-other-dementias-study. "SSRIS may be doubling risk of Alzheimer's and other dementias"


Sharon Kirkey


January 4, 2017


Antidepressants, among the top prescribed drugs on the planet, may be contributing to Alzheimer’s and other brain-destroying dementias, new Canadian research suggests.


According to the study, popular Prozac-like pills known as SSRIs — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — and other antidepressants are associated with a twofold increase in the odds of developing some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.


The association was even stronger for people who took antidepressants before age 65.


The study doesn’t prove cause and effect. However, the findings, which are published in the journal Depression and Anxiety, are expected to raise fresh concerns about a class of drugs experts say are being wildly and indiscriminately prescribed for everything from ordinary cases of “sadness” to insomnia, pain and hot flashes.


They’re almost becoming the antibiotic of this century.


Dr Mousseau doesn’t want to scare people off antidepressants. “They certainly do benefit some people,” he said. “But we do find this association (with dementia) and, if nothing else, I think the discussion needs to begin.”

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It stands to reason that psychotropic drugs and benzodiazepines all have the possibility of contributing to other neurological disorders. Turning to a pill for everything that ails you is not the answer for every problem. My PCP will not prescribe benzodiazepines - big sign on the wall.
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Well, that just about covers everything.
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I suspect that the headline should be: "the discussion needs to begin.”

Don't be disturbed, don't be alarmed, don't be scared off antidepressants if your doctor advises that they will probably benefit you.

Dr Mousseau wasn't so rude as to say so, but perhaps the other message patients might take to heart is "stop expecting your doctor to cure you of sadness, insomnia, pain, hot flashes (and the rest) by means of a single prescription."
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That's very disturbing and alarming.
Thanks for sharing this information.
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Another article about Effexor: "Effexor side effects (and this would include other antidepressants as well as Effexor) may cause permanent brain damage. Psychologist Gary Greenberg expressed his concern, citing studies that showed high doses of these drugs cause changes in neurons.
The more dramatic side effects, such as violent impulses and agitation amazingly have not been confirmed or disproved in the psychiatric community. There seems to be a disconnect between the reality of Effexor side effects and what pharmaceutical companies and their minions the psychiatrists will admit to.
Serotonin enhancers (which are what these drugs are) alter the brain in mysterious ways that even researchers are not able to explain.
According to Greenberg, Effexor side effects, Prozac side effects and other antidepressant side effects are caused by an interference of the brain’s natural metabolism. (The link for article: https://www.cchrflorida.org/effexor-side-effects-include-brain-damage/
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Yes, interesting. Thank you star97.
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Well, yeah. Not to the degree that a sedative/tranquilizer like a benzodiazepine causes cognitive decline but many studies show that SSRIs and anticholinergic meds increase the risk.

There’s a lot of grasping at new theories (and research dollars) lately due to the failure of drugs targeting amyloid so it’s time to start from scratch again.

IMO that’s a good thing.. moving forward it’d be interesting to see more studies on bacteria’s role. Viruses too.
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The AARP also has an article: "Drugs That Cause Memory Loss"
1. Antianxiety drugs
2. Cholesterol drugs
3. Antiseizure drugs
4. Antidepressant drugs
5. Narcotic painkillers
6. Parkinson's drugs
7. Hypertension drugs
8. Sleeping aids
9. Incontinence drugs
10. Antihistamines. Link: https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2017/caution-these-10-drugs-can-cause-memory-loss.html
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