These medicines taken for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders

include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen.

The study was conducted by scientists at the Fisher Center for Alzheimer''s Disease Research at

The Rockefeller University, led by Paul Greengard and Jennifer Warner Schmidt.

"The mechanism underlying these effects is not yet clear. Nevertheless, our results may have

profound implications for patients, given the very high treatment resistance rates for depressed

individuals taking SSRIs," says Dr. Warner-Schmidt.

This surprising discovery, to some extent, explains why so many depressed patients taking SSRIs

do not respond to antidepressant treatment.

The study may hold valid in the case of Alzheimer''s disease. Patients with Alzheimer's commonly

suffer from depression and unless this can be treated successfully, the illness is likely to grow

severe.

Going further, the study shows that depression in the elderly is also a risk factor for developing

Alzheimer''s disease. The researchers suggest that treating them in time might reduce the risk of

developing the disease.

"Many elderly individuals suffering from depression also have arthritic or related diseases and as a

consequence are taking both antidepressant and anti-inflammatory medications. Our results

suggest that physicians should carefully balance the advantages and disadvantages of continuing

anti-inflammatory therapy in patients being treated with antidepressant medications," Dr.

Greengard said.

The study has shown that out of the total patients tested, 54 pc responded to the antidepressant in

the absence of any anti-inflammatory medicines compared to approximately, 40 pc of those who

had consumed anti-inflammatory agents.

The study has been published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

(ANI)