A large study of 18,740 dementia patients found that those taking antidepressants experienced faster cognitive decline compared to those who were not medicated.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), particularly escitalopram, citalopram, and sertraline, were associated with the greatest deterioration.

Mirtazapine, which works differently from SSRIs, had a milder impact on cognitive function.

While depression itself can worsen dementia symptoms, it remains unclear whether the decline is due to the medication or the underlying condition.

Researchers emphasize the need for more individualized treatment approaches to balance mental health benefits with potential cognitive risks.

Future studies will explore whether specific dementia types or biomarkers influence antidepressant effects.

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The symptoms of schizophrenia vary greatly from person to person. A new study appearing in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows how these differences manifest themselves in the structure of the brain.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects perception, thought and emotions. This complexity is reflected in the individual manifestations of the disease: for some patients, perceptual disturbances are the main problem, while for others, cognitive impairments are more prevalent.

“In this sense, there is not one schizophrenia, but many, each with different neurobiological profiles,” says Wolfgang Omlor, first author of the study and senior physician at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich.

A new study found that some medications could have the unintended benefit of reducing dementia risk, while others could increase the risk. A doctor comments on the findings.