Key clinical point: Microscopic evaluation might useful for examining changes in platelet function in patients who are taking SSRIs for long-standing recurrent depressive disorder.

Major finding: Patients with recurrent depressive disorder taking SSRIs lack platelet micro-aggregates and platelet shape changes were noted within the patients. The abnormalities were found in association with low platelet serotonin content and high fluctuation of free plasma serotonin levels.

Study details: Peripheral markers and microscopic analyses of platelet morphology changes were performed in 31 patients and 31 healthy controls.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Source: Aleksovski B et al. Thrombosis Research 165 (2018) 24-32.