Can Fluoxetine Improve Recovery Following Stroke?

At 6-month follow-up, neurologic disability scores were similar with fluoxetine or placebo.

Previous trials that assessed whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine can improve motor recovery following stroke have reported conflicting results. Now, two research groups have presented data regarding the potential utility of fluoxetine use following ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

In the randomized, controlled AFFINITY trial, 1280 patients from stroke units in Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam (mean age, 64 years; 63% men) were recruited 2–15 days following stroke and were randomly assigned to fluoxetine (20 mg per day) or placebo for 6 months. Patients were required to have a deficit of ≥1 on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of neurologic disability at study entry; 86% had an ischemic stroke.

At 6 months, mR…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Can Fluoxetine Improve Recovery Following Stroke?

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Reviewing Author