Current research could possibly explain why some teenagers taking antidepressants become aggressive or suicidal, some going as far as to kill themselves. In a recent study, researchers used hamsters to determine the link between teens, antidepressants, and suicidal tendencies.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) is currently the only anti-depression medication approved to treat juveniles. However, controversy is mounting over claims that the drug actually increases suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents.

Prozac is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is already known to inhibit aggression in adult hamsters, both in low and high doses. But the new study revealed that when juvenile hamsters were given low doses of Prozac, they become more aggressive whether the dose was low or high.

The study clearly shows that adult and adolescent brains are different. Previous studies on adolescents have shown that the brain continues to mature throughout adolescence and into the early adult years.

The researchers believe that it may be possible that because adolescents have lower levels of serotonin than adults, there may not be enough serotonin in their systems for fluoxetine, or other SSRIs to work effectively.

It may also be possible that some teens who are taking Prozac and become aggressive or suicidal are having an unusual reaction to the drug.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 Oct 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.