Work

Future Directions for Serotonin and Antidepressants

Year: 2013

Type: editorial

Abstract: Despite the widespread use of antidepressant medications that block serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and/or norepinephrine (NE) transporters, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), the underlying neurobiological basis of action of these agents is poorly understood. Increases in serotonergic function are hypothesized to have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms. However, which of the 14 different neuronal receptors sensitive to 5-HT accounts for the therapeutic effects of SSRIs and SNRIs remains undetermined. The development of drugs that activate or block specific 5-HT receptors may help to circumvent the two main limitations of current antidepressants: low efficacy and delayed onset of therapeutic action. What follows is a short summary of the author's views on this matter.

Source: ACS Chemical Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1021/cn3001125

Author: Francesc Artigas

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer

Language: English

Topic: Treatment of Major Depression

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2040458694

Cites: 22

Cited by: 57

Related to: 10