Common Digestive Drug May Help Ease Depression and Brain Fog
Summary
A common drug used to treat constipation, prucalopride, may help improve memory, attention, and thinking speed in people who have recovered from depression but still experience mental fog. A small study in the UK showed that people who took the drug performed better on cognitive tests than those who took a placebo.Key Facts
- Prucalopride is a drug normally used to treat chronic constipation.
- The drug activates a serotonin receptor found in both the gut and brain.
- Serotonin affects digestion and brain function, so researchers tested if the drug could improve thinking skills.
- The study involved 50 adults who had recovered from depression at least six months earlier and were not on medication.
- Participants took either 2mg of prucalopride or a placebo for 7 to 10 days.
- Those who took prucalopride showed faster and more accurate performance on memory, attention, processing speed, and planning tests.
- Researchers say the results are promising but preliminary, requiring larger studies for confirmation.
- The study did not test people currently experiencing depression or on antidepressants.
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