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Prozac found to promote brain plasticity in key cells, reshaping their energy systems
Medical Xpress / University of Eastern Finland / Neuropsychopharmacology ^ | Sept. 22, 2025 | Elias Jetsonen et al

Posted on 10/20/2025 9:05:02 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

A new study shows that the widely used antidepressant fluoxetine does more than boost serotonin levels: it changes how brain cells manage their energy and rebuild their connections, potentially helping the brain "loosen up" and adapt during depression treatment.

Using cell type–specific transcriptome profiling, researchers found that after two weeks of treatment, a special class of brain cells, called parvalbumin interneurons, which help keep brain activity balanced, became less rigid in the prefrontal cortex. Their mitochondria showed reduced expression of genes linked to energy production, while genes related to plasticity were upregulated.

At the same time, the protective perineuronal nets that normally restrict plasticity weakened. Together, these changes may allow the brain to enter a more plastic, or adaptable, state, though the causal links between them remain to be clarified.

This is important, since depression is linked to overly rigid brain circuits that resist change, and by softening these circuits and altering how their mitochondria function, fluoxetine may create a window of plasticity or flexibility in the brain. The findings also suggest new biological markers, such as mitochondrial changes or weakened perineuronal nets, that could one day guide or improve treatment.

"The findings point to a new understanding of how antidepressants may help people recover: not only by lifting mood, but by giving the brain room to rewire its circuits by altering its energy systems," says Juzoh Umemori.

Fluoxetine is widely sold under the brand name Prozac, but is internationally available under many different brand names.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: brain; prozac
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It appears Prozac helps brain cells become plastic, instead of rigid, as in depression, allowing permanent change.

This seems to point to needing just a short time with the drug, if also working toward life changes.

1 posted on 10/20/2025 9:05:02 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 10/20/2025 9:05:27 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Loser pills.


3 posted on 10/20/2025 9:09:13 PM PDT by toddausauras (47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 )
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To: ConservativeMind

I’ve been tried on several antidepressants over the years. None of them did me any good at all, so I’m not on any. Just recently, I watched an old Derek Prince video on YouTube, on deliverance, and following his instructions, was delivered from depression. I had been depressed all my life, since I was a little child. It’s wonderful to be free from it at last!


4 posted on 10/20/2025 9:29:51 PM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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kinda need energy to induce the plasticity the comes from repetitive movement


5 posted on 10/20/2025 10:19:24 PM PDT by Gene Eric
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To: toddausauras

Most prescriptions are. Depression in the vast majority of people is a self induced inability to deal with life.


6 posted on 10/21/2025 4:03:53 AM PDT by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: ConservativeMind

Will it help my gold swing?


7 posted on 10/21/2025 4:16:06 AM PDT by Bayard
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To: ConservativeMind

Bkmk


8 posted on 10/21/2025 4:17:35 AM PDT by sauropod
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To: ConservativeMind

Super Fantastic Elastic Plastic, guaranteed to stretch you mind!...................


9 posted on 10/21/2025 6:16:33 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: ConservativeMind

Truth


10 posted on 10/21/2025 6:27:00 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: toddausauras

Loser perspective.

Rigid thinking.


11 posted on 10/21/2025 6:27:58 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: Chickensoup

Prozac is for losers like you.


12 posted on 10/21/2025 10:41:17 AM PDT by toddausauras (47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 )
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To: ConservativeMind; Mark17; metmom; Elsie; Roman_War_Criminal
It appears Prozac helps brain cells become plastic . . .

. . . unwrapping the individual's indoctrinated inhibitions needed for a moral benevolent society. Beware!

Figuratively speaking, the history of mass shootings is contiguous with that of the beginning and upsweep of psychoactive "magic bullet" drugs, particularly the antidepressants like tricyclic or SSRIs, of which Prozac is an outstanding example. Te time of the antitubercular derivatives was coincident with the Texas Tower shootings in the 1950s.

A history of Prozac can be read here: "The Story of Prozac: A Landmark Drug in Psychiatry"(click here). This narrative includes the statement "The search for a drug specifically targeting depression began with the work of the pioneering psychopharmacologist Nathan S. Kline in the 1950s" (underline added).

It was at the time of the experimental trials of fluoxetine (Prozac) in the 1960s that a wholly unexpected event happened with an otherwise very talented youth undergoing suicidal thoughts, erupted in Olean, New York with Anthony Barbaro(click here) during the Christmastime closure (1074) of his high school, anothe of the early mass shootings that turned out to be the hint of a long wave of more to come.

What I've remarked in the years studying the social effects of these psychoactive drugs is that often a freeing of the libido, with an effect of breaking the bonds of inhibitions acquired from the culture and its training of the interpersonal peace-keeping behaviors, has loosed Satan's demons into a previously moral society.

So beware of the anecdotal interpretation that this article might confer to the reader, that one outcome of the use of fluoxetinr-like drugs might be a good thing without a minatory shadow looming over it.

I feel that the massive ingestion of these inhibition-loosing drugs, worse than the similar consequences of ethanol toxin, have turned the whole world of wrong-thinkink killers on the society who for its sins need a Savior.

13 posted on 10/21/2025 4:02:25 PM PDT by imardmd1 (To learn is to live; the joy of living: to teach. Fiat Lux! )
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To: imardmd1
I think it might be wise for someone with proper statistical research tools should compare how many of the conservative (to me) "right-thinking" (with the emphasis on "right" with its consequent "compassionte" sense) as compared to the segment of our society that wants to violate, with their infantile hedonistic ways, every sensible rule of behavior lawfully imposed by nature and natures God under our Declaration of Independence (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness) and Amended Constitution.
14 posted on 10/21/2025 4:16:03 PM PDT by imardmd1 (To learn is to live; the joy of living: to teach. Fiat Lux! )
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To: imardmd1

There are other, better ways of retraining the brain than drugs with NASTY side effects.


15 posted on 10/21/2025 4:35:39 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: metmom

I think gambling rewires the brain too, but don’t try it. 😂🤣🤪


16 posted on 10/21/2025 5:15:22 PM PDT by Mark17 (Retired USAF air traffic controller. 🎤 Father of USAF ISR pilot. ✈️ Aviation is in our DNA)
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To: Mark17

It does, and that’s good advice.

Fortunately that is something I have never been tempted with.

We had far too little when I was growing up to throw my money away on long shots. I worked to hard for it and am very suspicious of people who want me to donate to their cause or try to guilt trip me into giving money to the *homeless*.


17 posted on 10/21/2025 5:59:36 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: Flaming Conservative

AMEN!!

Ain’t GOD wonderful!!!


18 posted on 10/21/2025 7:46:52 PM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Bayard
Will it help my gold swing?

Probably not, but it could help your silver slide.

19 posted on 10/21/2025 7:48:14 PM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: metmom
Fortunately that is something I have never been tempted with.

Me too.

I know the math, and it ain't in my favor.

Zero sum games at least are balanced, but whenever the house takes a cut, EVERYONE (the aggregate) loses!


The 'sports betting' commercials gall me! They somehow convince folks that they can predict the future, and then can make money from that 'prediction'!

20 posted on 10/21/2025 7:53:08 PM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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