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A number of recently published studies now point to the possibility of utilizing antidepressants in treating patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

In a Columbia University-led study, neuroscientists discovered in their experiment that by applying an antidepressant called rolipram in mice lowered the amount of toxic proteins attacking the brain which were also responsible for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and various types of dementia according to National Institutes of Health.

The researchers also found that the antidepressant could activate the neuron's disposal system and enhance proteasomes thus minimizing the amount of damaged proteins from becoming toxic.

"This has the potential to open up new avenues of treatment for Alzheimer's and many other neurodegenerative diseases," told Dr. Karen E. Duff of Columbia University Medical Center as mentioned by Latinos Health.

Medical experts, however, said that the results so far work on mice. Currently, no clinical trials involving human volunteers could prove the same.

"This discovery suggests a new way in which people with dementia could be helped, but it is still very early stages and there are many hurdles to overcome before we know if it's effective in people," told James Pickett of Alzheimer's Society as quoted saying by Daily Mail.

In another study by Loyola University in Chicago, a group of research experts discovered that a commonly prescribed antidepressant called Lexapro (or escitalopram) can fight off two neurotoxic compounds linked to chronic memory loss disorders including dementia as stated by Health News Line.

The results of the foregoing studies could help underpin future and advanced research work on utilizing antidepressants as a viable means of curing neurodegenerative diseases.