Depression and Stroke

Poststroke depression occurs frequently and is associated with increased mortality.

Depression occurs in many patients who have experienced a stroke. Investigations of the stroke–depression relationship suggest that depression is a risk factor for stroke (NEJM JW Psychiatry Dec 2011 and JAMA 2011; 306:1241), that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve outcome even in nondepressed patients (NEJM JW Psychiatry Nov 2013 and JAMA 2013; 310:1066), and that we should be concerned about SSRIs' effects on mortality after stroke (NEJM JW Psychiatry Nov 25 2014; [e-pub] and Neurology 2014; 83:2007).

To determine whether patients with and without stroke differ in the incidence of and risk factors for depression, and to examine whether depression affects mortality, this Danish register–based cohort study compared 1…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Depression and Stroke

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Reviewing Author