Increased left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex density following escitalopram intake during relearning: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in healthy humans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Serotonergic agents affect brain plasticity and reverse stress-induced dendritic atrophy in key fronto-limbic brain areas associated with learning and memory.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antidepressant escitalopram on gray matter during relearning in healthy individuals to inform a model for depression and the neurobiological processes of recovery.

Design

Randomized double blind placebo control, monocenter study.

Methods

In all, 76 (44 females) healthy individuals performed daily an associative learning task with emotional or non-emotional content over a 3-week period. This was followed by a 3-week relearning period (randomly shuffled association within the content group) with concurrent daily selective serotoni

SUBMITTER: Vanicek T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9677158 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature