[Sportschosun Reporter Jang Jong-ho] A study has found that a drug used to treat constipation may help improve reduced concentration and memory problems in patients with depression.
The findings are drawing renewed attention to the so-called gut-brain axis theory, which holds that the gut and the brain are closely connected.
A joint research team from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford said through the international journal Psychological Medicine that the prescription laxative Prucalopride may have a positive effect on cognitive function in people with a history of depression.
Depression often comes with not only low mood but also symptoms of brain fog, including reduced concentration, poorer memory, and difficulty carrying out plans.
The researchers gave 50 adults aged 18 to 40 who had previously experienced depressive episodes either 2 mg of Prucalopride, which is used to treat chronic constipation, or a placebo for 7 to 10 days. Participants underwent cognitive tests before and after taking the medication to measure working memory, verbal learning and memory, attention, and information-processing speed.
As a result, the group that took Prucalopride showed faster and more accurate performance on several cognitive tests, including attention, working memory, short- and long-term memory, and complex task performance. The researchers said improvements were especially observed in word memory and working memory tasks.
Prucalopride is a laxative that promotes bowel movement and helps relieve constipation, but it also activates the serotonin receptor known as the 5-HT4 receptor in both the gut and the brain. This receptor is known to be involved not only in bowel motility but also in learning, memory, mood, and anxiety regulation. The researchers analyzed that this mechanism may have helped ease the cognitive decline associated with depression.
"Many patients with depression continue to struggle with memory and concentration problems even after their mood improves," the researchers said. "This study provides early evidence that 5-HT4 receptor agonists may help restore some cognitive functions."
However, the researchers stressed that the findings are still at an early stage and that large-scale clinical trials and long-term safety evaluations are needed before the results can be turned into an actual treatment. Experts also cautioned that taking laxatives on one's own is not recommended and that medical consultation is essential.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
