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prozac

·September 25, 2025·4 min read

Prozac May Rewire the Brain by Loosening Rigid Neural Circuits

A new study shows that fluoxetine, better known as Prozac, does more than increase serotonin—it changes how brain cells handle energy and rebuild connections. After two weeks of treatment, parvalbumin interneurons in the prefrontal cortex became less rigid, with mitochondrial energy genes reduced and plasticity genes upregulated.

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·July 7, 2025·5 min read

Timing of Prozac Treatment Shapes Lasting Mood, Brain Changes

New research reveals that the developmental timing of fluoxetine (Prozac) treatment profoundly influences long-term mood and brain function. In a rodent model, early postnatal treatment in males led to persistent anxiety and depression-like behaviors, while adolescent treatment reduced these behaviors.

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·February 14, 2025·6 min read

Prozac Shows Promise in Fighting Infections & Sepsis

New research suggests that fluoxetine, commonly used as an antidepressant, may also help protect against infections and sepsis. Scientists found that the drug has antimicrobial properties and helps regulate the immune response, reducing the risk of tissue and organ damage.

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·November 15, 2022·11 min read

How Do SSRIs Like Prozac, Lexapro Really Work? Ask a Fruit Fly

Researchers shed light on how different SSRI antidepressants may work to help fight symptoms of depression in the brain.

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·November 8, 2021·4 min read

Expectations and Dopamine Can Affect Outcome of SSRI Antidepressant Treatment

The placebo effect combined with dopamine levels can determine whether symptoms of depression and social anxiety will improve in patients prescribed SSRI antidepressants. Researchers found the positive effect of the medications was four times higher in patients with high expectations the treatment would work compared to those with lower expectations.

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·October 21, 2021·4 min read

Prozac Pegged as Potential First Treatment for a Leading Cause of Blindness

Fluoxetine, the antidepressant commonly known as Prozac, may be beneficial for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Researchers found Prozac significantly slowed the rate at which people over 50 developed AMD.

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·August 23, 2021·5 min read

Prozac Changes Fat Composition of the Brain

Prozac reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid lipid concentrations in the brains of juvenile macaque monkeys.

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·September 6, 2019·5 min read

How serotonin and a popular anti-depressant affect the gut’s microbiota

Serotonin and SSRIs like Prozac can have a major effect on gut bacteria. When exposed to serotonin, specific gut bacteria grew to higher levels. However, when exposed to SSRIs, the bacterium grew to much lower levels in mouse models.

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·September 1, 2019·5 min read

Psychedelic drugs: would you accept a prescription? It depends if you’ve tried them before

Numerous studies have linked controlled psychedelics to improvements in mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD. In March, the FDA approved Esketamine as a treatment for depression. However, with much stigma surrounding psychedelics, researchers question how many patients would take psychedelic medications if prescribed to them. According to a new study, 40% of people with no experience of psychedelics would be unlikely to take the prescription due to fears of 'brain damage' or a 'bad trip'.

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·July 10, 2019·2 min read

How a popular antidepressant drug could rewire the brain

Fluoxetine rearranges nerve fibers in the hippocampus of mice, a new study reports.

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·June 25, 2019·4 min read

Common antidepressants interact with opioid med to lessen pain relief

SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac and Paxil, interact with opioid medications to make them less effective at providing relief from chronic pain. Tramadol relies on activation of the CYP2D6 enzyme to control pain, but SSRIs inhibit this enzyme. Researchers suggest prescribing different classes of antidepressants which do not suppress the enzyme may benefit those in need of opioid medications. Alternatively, non-opioid pain killers should be considered for those who can not switch from SSRIs.

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·April 30, 2019·4 min read

Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancy: Mouse Study

A new study in mice reveals a possible link between the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in offspring. Offspring exposed to fluoxetine (Prozac) in utero were more likely to exhibit impaired neurotransmission caused by an overactive serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain implicated in modulating social behaviors. However, treating the mice with a compound that blocks the receptor alleviated the behavioral problems and improved working memory.