The Effect of Antidepressants over the Human Brain.
                     THE EFFECT OF 
ANTIDEPRESSANTS OVER 
THE HUMAN BRAIN
Introduction
• Antidepressants are drugs that have been shown 
to be effective in treating depression in 
controlled clinical trials. 
• In general, they are used as adjuncts to other 
types of therapy for depression, such as brief 
psychotherapy, supportive therapy, and 
electroconvulsive therapy.
Source: www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/
Side Effects 
• Like all medications, antidepressants can have 
side effects. Some of the most common include:
– Headache
– Agitation
– Nausea or vomiting
– Sleeplessness
– Drowsiness
– Reduced sex drive
– Dry mouth
– Weight gain
Source: www.webmd.com
How Long Do the Side Effects 
Last?
• Many side effects last only for a few days or 
weeks and then get better. Others may continue 
until you stop taking the medicine.
Source: www.webmd.com
Antidepressants and Your Brain
• Antidepressants change how neurotransmitters 
function, making more available so that when a 
message comes along, it can be properly 
delivered. 
Source: www.webmd.com
Neurotransmitters
• Increasing the available neurotransmitters might 
have the desired effect of alleviating depression, 
lowering neuropathic pain, or improving one's 
thought process, but it can also have unwanted 
effects.
Source: www.webmd.com
Brain shrinkage
• The prefrontal cortex and amygdala work 
together to control emotional responses and the 
recognition of emotional cues in other people. 
• This can potentially contribute to a reduction in 
empathy in individuals.
Source: www.healthline.com
Brain inflammation
• Because brain inflammation can cause the cells 
of the brain to die, this can lead to several 
complications, including:
– shrinkage 
– decreased function of neurotransmitters
– reduced ability of the brain to change as the 
person ages
Source: www.healthline.com
Oxygen restriction
• Antidepressants has been linked to reduced 
oxygen in the body. 
• These changes may be due to changes in 
breathing caused by depression, but which 
comes first and causes the other remains 
unknown.
Source: www.healthline.com
Structural and connective 
changes
• The effects of antidepressants on the brain also 
can result in structural and connective changes.
• These include:
– Reduced functionality of the hippocampus. 
Source: www.healthline.com
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