Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025
04:29
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
28.6K
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Other Treatment Modalities for Deep Space Missions.
Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
|October 19, 2023
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) pose risks for deep space missions due to side effects. Alternative non-pharmacological therapies show promise for managing anxiety and depression in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Long-duration space missions present unique psychological challenges.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are standard for anxiety and depression but have side effects.
- Non-pharmacological therapies for behavioral health in space are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the risks of SSRIs in deep space.
- To identify potential non-pharmacological alternatives for astronaut mental health.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of PubMed.
- Review of over 70 studies on spaceflight stressors, SSRIs, and alternative therapies.
Main Results:
- SSRIs have adverse effects (bone density loss, hemostatic impairment, gene interactions) complicating space use.
- Four alternative therapies show promise for managing anxiety and depression.
Conclusions:
- Risks of prolonged SSRI use in space necessitate exploring alternative treatments.
- Non-pharmacological therapies are crucial for astronaut behavioral health in deep space missions.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
254
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
254
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
272
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
272
01:28Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
410
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
410
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
183
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
183
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
524
Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...
524
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
47
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
47