Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The pharmacology of antidepressants is not entirely clear.. The earliest and probably most widely accepted scientific theory of antidepressant action is the monoamine hypothesis (which can be traced back to the 1950s), which states that depression is due to an imbalance (most often a deficiency) of the monoamine neurotransmitters (namely serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). [1]
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) are a class of psychiatric drugs used primarily as antidepressants. [1] They act by antagonizing the α 2 -adrenergic receptor and certain serotonin receptors such as 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2C , [ 1 ] but also 5-HT 3 , [ 1 ] 5-HT 6 , and/or 5-HT 7 in some cases.
Cytokines, by manipulating neurotransmitters, are involved in the generation of sickness behavior, which shares some overlap with the symptoms of depression. Neurotransmitters hypothesized to be affected include dopamine and serotonin, which are common targets for antidepressant drugs.
However, most antidepressant treatments do not directly enhance DA neurotransmission, which may contribute to residual symptoms, including impaired motivation, concentration, and pleasure. [ 21 ] Preclinical and clinical research indicates that drugs inhibiting the reuptake of all three of these neurotransmitters can produce a more rapid onset ...
Behavioral neuropharmacology focuses on the study of how drugs affect human behavior (neuropsychopharmacology), including the study of how drug dependence and addiction affect the human brain. [2] Molecular neuropharmacology involves the study of neurons and their neurochemical interactions, with the overall goal of developing drugs that have ...
Monoamines are connected to the pathophysiology of depression. Symptoms may occur because concentrations of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, are insufficient, leading to downstream changes. [10] [25] Medications for depression affect the transmission of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. [10]
They do produce central nervous system depression, but they also excite certain areas of the central nervous system. To remain true to the term "depressant", opioids cannot be classified as such. For opioid agonists and opium derivatives, these are classified differently. These drugs are more correctly identified as "analgesic" or "narcotic ...
GAD is a common disorder in which the central feature is excessively worrying about numerous events. Key symptoms include excessive anxiety about events and issues going on around them and difficulty controlling worrisome thoughts that persists for at least 6 months. Antidepressants provide a modest to moderate reduction in anxiety in GAD. [46]