Recent findings from the Rotterdam Study, an ongoing cohort investigation, offer reassurance for older adults being treated with antidepressant medications.

A study, published in Alzheimer's and Dementia, found no significant long-term risk of dementia, cognitive decline, or brain atrophy linked to antidepressant use in older patients showing no signs of cognitive impairment. Antidepressants were also found to not accelerate brain matter loss.

The study included 5,511 dementia-free participants from 1991 through 2002-2008. Researchers analyzed extensive data including pharmacy records, incident dementia, cognitive assessments, and MRI scans every 4 years until 2018.

While tricyclic antidepressants showed a slight increase in dementia risk compared with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), neither showed a dose-response relationship or affected cognitive decline or brain volume, noted investigators. This suggests that when prescribed responsibly, antidepressants are a safe option for the aging population without cognitive impairments.

The implications of this study are particularly significant given the high prevalence of antidepressant use among the elderly and the ongoing debate about their safety in long-term use, investigators noted. The findings support the continued use of antidepressants under proper medical guidance.

However, study authors cautioned that their findings might not be generalizable to all populations or to individuals with existing cognitive impairments. Future research is encouraged, especially focusing on vulnerable groups in settings like memory clinics, to further explore these findings.

The investigators reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.