Depression is associated with reduced levels of monoamines in the brain. Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) have a dual mechanism of action that increases the concentration of 5-HT and noradrenaline in the synaptic cleft to within the normal range. NaSSAs bind to and inhibit both noradrenaline a2-autoreceptors and noradrenaline a2-heteroeceptors. This action prevents the negative feedback effect of synaptic noradrenaline on 5-HT and noradrenaline neurotransmission, sustaining neurotransmission. NaSSAs also block 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, which causes enhanced 5-HT1 mediated neurotransmission.1
Click here: Explore the use of noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants
Related content
This slide deck summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the use of psychedelics for the treatment of depression. Specifically, our focus centers on serotonergic psychedelics, commonly referred to as classical psychedelics. These psychedelics primarily function as agonists or partial agonists at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A receptor).
The infographic shows a 27% increase in depression cases due to COVID-19, affecting 280 million people worldwide.
Dr. Jasmina Mallet highlights the latest research in psychiatric genetics, emphasizing the role of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) in psychiatry.