Prozac Treatment Shows Promise For Stroke Patients

March 1, 2011 · Filed Under Health and Fitness 

The effect of a stroke is often very severe and frustrating for sufferers and their loved ones. Motor function in stroke sufferers can really be helped with Prozac. This is, at least, the outcomes of one study. Though less than 200 patients were integrated in this first study, you will find avenues for more study. The Lancet published the study in this month’s issue. Someone took out a huge payday cash loan just to finance this kind of research. Source of article – Prozac helps stroke patients regain motor skills with treatment by MoneyBlogNewz.

Prozac for stroke recovery one of numerous multi-use drugs

Following the FDA approves a particular drug for use in the United States market, that drug gets a “second life.” Secondary uses for the drug are researched, and this “off label” use is not endorsed by the FDA, but is not prohibited. Drugs that are useful for numerous different things become known as “multi-use drugs.” Even if some uses aren’t approved by the FDA, they may be very effective and useful.

Prozac can be used to get motor skills back after a stroke happens

About 118 stroke patients were observed in a study done in France. It appeared that motor skills were regained by those patients taking Prozac. Half were given Prozac, half were given a placebo. Those who improved motor skills and became more independent easily were those who got Prozac. The depression in the group was very low also. Prozac is known to do this though so it was expected. Both groups were given physiotherapy, also as consistent tests of motor function and independence. There was more than one-third a difference shown as the placebo group got a 24.3 point improvement with the tests while a 34 point improvement was shown by the Prozac takers.

How Prozac for stroke recovery may work

The connection between Prozac and stroke recovery was made by the study. However, the reason why this works wasn’t explained. Prozac is one of the class of drugs known as SSRI drugs – Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors. It is theorized that SSRI drugs help rebuild the neural pathways that are damaged during a stroke. The serotonin receptors aren’t specifically responsible for motor functions, but a healing brain may use the re-uptake inhibitors as a way to circumvent damaged neural pathways.

Details from

National Post

nationalpost.com/life/chroniccare/Antidepressant+drug+Prozac+help+stroke+patients+regain/4093483/story.html

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