Abstract

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been suggested to have a neuroprotective effect. This claim is is largely clinical and not previously supported by evidence based data. This area of neuroscience has not been well studied at the cellular level. This study offers a three part laboratory examination of the effect of SSRIs on glia cells. The investigation found that serotonin reuptake inhibitors had a detectable protective effect on glia when tested under various classic methods. The examination of cell morphology, use of vital dyes, cell death and growth rates were consistent with a neuroprotective class effect. The data suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors are, in fact neuroprotective at normal physiologic dosages.

Keywords: Neuroprotective; Serotonin; Glia neuron