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Can sertraline prevent depressive disorders following traumatic brain injury?

Date:
September 19, 2016
Source:
JAMA
Summary:
Depressive disorders are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI). So, can the antidepressant medication sertraline prevent the onset of depressive disorders following TBI?
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Depressive disorders are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI). So, can the antidepressant medication sertraline prevent the onset of depressive disorders following TBI?

Ricardo E. Jorge, M.D., of the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and coauthors tackled that question in a new article published online by JAMA Psychiatry. The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial at a university hospital over four years with 24 weeks of follow-up. A total of 94 patients consented and were assigned to receive placebo (n=46) or sertraline (n=48) at a dose of 100 mg/day for 24 weeks or until a mood disorder developed.

Results suggest sertraline at a low dose early after TBI appears to be an efficacious strategy to prevent depression after TBI but more study is needed before considering possible changes to treatment guidelines.

Limitations to the current study include its small sample size.

"Given the prevalence and functional effect of depression among patients with TBI, these findings have profound therapeutic implications. However, although our findings are novel and provocative, recommending a change in the guidelines to treat patients with TBI requires replication of these findings in multicenter studies. In addition, it would be important to study whether combining antidepressants with behavioral interventions, such as psychotherapy or cognitive rehabilitation protocols, will optimize long-term functional outcomes," the authors conclude.


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Materials provided by JAMA. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Robert G. Robinson, MD et al. Sertraline for Preventing Mood Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury. JAMA Psychiatry, September 2016 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2189

Cite This Page:

JAMA. "Can sertraline prevent depressive disorders following traumatic brain injury?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 September 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160919104737.htm>.
JAMA. (2016, September 19). Can sertraline prevent depressive disorders following traumatic brain injury?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160919104737.htm
JAMA. "Can sertraline prevent depressive disorders following traumatic brain injury?." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160919104737.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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