title: Effect of a single dose of citalopram on amygdala response to emotional faces.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically thought to have a delay of several weeks in the onset of their clinical effects. However, recent reports suggest they may have a much earlier therapeutic onset. A reduction in amygdala responsivity has been implicated in the therapeutic action of SSRIs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of a single dose of an SSRI on the amygdala response to emotional faces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six healthy volunteers were randomised to receive a single oral dose of citalopram (20 mg) or placebo. Effects on the processing of facial expressions were assessed 3 h later using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Volunteers treated with citalopram displayed a significantly reduced amygdala response to fearful facial expressions compared with placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Such an immediate effect of an SSRI on amygdala responses to threat supports the idea that antidepressants have an earlier onset of therapeutically relevant effects than conventionally thought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX. Susannah.Murphy@psych.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Susannah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Norbury
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cowen
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Harmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors