Can Sertraline cause dementia? (3 possible reasons)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss the topic: “Can Sertraline cause dementia?” Furthermore, we will talk about supporting research findings, who is more prone to experience dementia, what the symptoms are, and what to do if you experience dementia.
Can Sertraline cause dementia?
Yes, Sertraline (Zoloft) may cause dementia in some individuals. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can increase the risk of dementia in depressed patients.
However, elderly patients are at a higher risk of experiencing dementia while using antidepressants such as Sertraline. It is important to consider that not everyone using Sertraline may experience this side effect, as people vary in their physiological responses to the medication.
What does research suggest?
According to research studies, dementia is more commonly reported in elderly depressed patients being treated with SSRIs. Dementia is a condition that decreases a person’s thinking and memory abilities and makes it difficult for them to perform daily tasks (1,3).
Dementia may not necessarily be caused by antidepressants like Sertraline; many factors may contribute to its occurrence, including various mental health conditions. Younger patients may also develop dementia due to head injuries or brain tumours.
While treating mood disorders, antidepressants, like Sertraline, may also have some negative effects on the brain. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing serotonin levels (a chemical neurotransmitter) in the brain, hence improving mood disorders.
Depression itself is a risk factor for dementia, so it is necessary to identify the main reason behind this potential side effect. However, more research is needed to fully understand these mechanisms (2).
Who is more prone to dementia while using Sertraline?
Some risk factors increase the chances of dementia in patients using Sertraline, including:
- Age of the patient
- Family history
- Depression
- Infections of the brain like meningitis and syphilis
- Excessive alcohol consumption, lack of nutrition, smoking
- Other medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Down syndrome
What are the symptoms of dementia while using Sertraline?
Patients with dementia may have problems with memory and thinking abilities, which affects their daily lives. Some signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty in performing simple tasks
- Agitation and mood swings
- Inability to communicate properly
- Short-term memory loss (3)
What to do if Sertraline causes dementia?
If you experience any signs and symptoms of dementia while using Sertraline, you should inform your doctor. They will examine your current symptoms, other underlying health conditions, and your response to the treatment.
Due to the increased risk of dementia in elderly patients, your doctor must prescribe Sertraline and other SSRIs cautiously. They will provide clear guidelines for the use of antidepressants and closely monitor you for any symptoms of dementia.
Do not discontinue any antidepressant without informing your healthcare provider. If necessary, your doctor may suggest discontinuing Sertraline, but with a proper tapering plan and gradually reducing the dose.
If you are experiencing symptoms of dementia, you may try some of the following lifestyle modifications to cope with it:
- Quit smoking as it may increase the risk of dementia.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet and take vitamin supplements.
- Be physically active and lose weight if you are obese.
- Manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Take your antidepressants regularly at the same time each day.
- Ensure you get 8-9 hours of sleep daily.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the possibility that Sertraline (Zoloft) and other antidepressants like SSRIs may be associated with an increased risk of dementia, especially in elderly patients.
Some factors may increase the likelihood of dementia using Sertraline, including age, family history, and other medical conditions. Young patients may also experience due to head injuries or brain tumours.
It is important to inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms of dementia while being treated with Sertraline (Zoloft) for depression. Therefore, antidepressants like Sertraline must be cautiously prescribed, and proper guidance must be provided to patients at risk of experiencing dementia.
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References
1.-
Solomonov N, Alexopoulos GS. Do Antidepressants Increase the Risk of Dementia? Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Nov;27(11):1189-1191. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.06.004. Epub 2019 Jun 21. PMID: 31320244; PMCID: PMC7063578. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7063578/
2.-
Wang YC, Tai PA, Poly TN, Islam MM, Yang HC, Wu CC, Li YJ. Increased Risk of Dementia in Patients with Antidepressants: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Behav Neurol. 2018 Jul 10;2018:5315098. doi: 10.1155/2018/5315098. PMID: 30123386; PMCID: PMC6079596. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6079596/
3.-
Gale SA, Acar D, Daffner KR. Dementia. Am J Med. 2018 Oct;131(10):1161-1169. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.01.022. Epub 2018 Feb 6. PMID: 29425707. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29425707/
4.-
Valkanova V, Ebmeier KP, Allan CL. Depression is linked to dementia in older adults. Practitioner. 2017 Jan;261(1800):11-5. PMID: 29023080. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29023080/
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