[Stroke and depression].

Depression is a frequent complication of stroke and occurs in approximately one in three surviving patients. Depression worsens the course of post-stroke neurological disorders, enhances the physical helplessness of patients, further reduces their quality of life, significantly decreases the effectiveness of therapeutic and rehabilitation measures and increases the risk of death. Antidepressants eliminate or relieve depressive symptoms, mitigate neurological disorders, improve cognitive functions and the general condition of patients, increase the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation, diminish the risk of recurrent stroke and decrease mortality. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first line antidepressants for post-stroke patients; there is evidence of the effectiveness of other modern antidepressants, as well as tricyclic drugs. Unresolved aspects of this problem that require further well-designed controlled studies include tolerability of antidepressants by patients of late age, the choice of optimal drugs and the duration of therapy.