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Repeated administration of antidepressant drugs to rodents produces adaptive changes in noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine pathways in the brain. A decrease in cortical beta-adrenoceptor binding is seen following most antidepressant treatments and is thought by some to be of importance in the therapeutic action of antidepressants; however, it seems equally plausible that this change simply reflects a homeostatic response to increased noradrenergic transmission. Another effect common to many different antidepressant treatments is an increase in neurotransmission through post-synaptic 5-HT1 receptors in some brain regions. 5-HT neuroendocrine studies suggest that this change also occurs in the human brain. Further investigations are required to assess whether alterations in 5-HT neurotransmissions are important in the therapeutic action of antidepressant treatment.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int Clin Psychopharmacol

Publication Date

07/1990

Volume

5 Suppl 3

Pages

45 - 55

Keywords

Aged, Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Arousal, Brain, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Receptors, Adrenergic, Receptors, Serotonin