Prognostic markers of post-stroke depression (PROMoSD): study protocol of a prospective single-center observational study on raphe hypoechogenicity as a predictor of post-stroke depression.

Introduction: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is an important and frequent non-motor complication after a stroke. As valid prediction of PSD occurrence is still not possible, the unselective use of preventive therapy in stroke patients has risen a questionable risk-to-benefit consideration. Therefore, there is a need to increase the prediction probability of PSD to identify patients at very high risk of a depressive complication who might benefit from preventive therapy.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for the Prevention of Post-Stroke Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There are controversial data on the efficacy and safety profile of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to prevent post-stroke depression (PSD). We performed a systematic search in MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases to identify randomized-controlled trials questioning the use of early SSRI therapy in the post-stroke population and its effect on PSD incidence. We included 6 studies with 6560 participants.