Question

Dr. Blagovich is interested in understanding how antidepressants affect brain structure. After administering SSRIs to a group of rats for several weeks, Dr. Blagovich analyzes their brain tissue. He is likely to find an increase in ____.

Answer 1

increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampus

Step-by-step explanation:

Studies shows that loss of number neurons in the hippocampus contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. Therefore, studies have been carried out to determine the effect of antidepressants on hippocampal neurons. Studies shows that antidepressants increase cell proliferation and also increase hippocampal neuron number i.e increased in the number of neurons in the hippocampus, by the process called neurogenesis.

Therefore, since Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) is an antidepressant, when administered to rats it is most likely to find an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampus when analyzing the brain tissues.