An understanding of the clinical pharmacology of antidepressant agents is essential to optimal prescribing. The following chapter outlines general principles that influence prescribing, and then discusses specific subgroups of antidepressants. There is no generally accepted classification scheme for antidepressants, and current groupings reflect marketing, the history of development, and pharma...

Although the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants shares a common primary pharmacology, namely the inhibition of serotonin reuptake, their secondary pharmacology is remarkably heterogeneous. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake and the consequent increase in serotonin availability are responsible for the relief of depressive symptoms and for some of the adverse eff...

The aim of the present clinical positron emission tomography study was to examine if the 5-HTT is a common target, both for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) occupancy was estimated during treatment with TCA, SSRI and mirtazapine in 20 patients in remission from depression. The patients were recruited from out-pat...

INTRODUCTION Vortioxetine is a structurally novel medication that has recently been approved for treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). This medication is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that also has a number of other potentially relevant effects on serotoninergic receptors, which may differentiate the drug's effects from those of current first-line antidepressants, such as selective ser...

It has long been postulated that a deficiency in CNS serotonergic activity is the cause of, or a predisposing factor for, depression. [1] However, the evidence for this association is largely circumstantial and it certainly does not represent an adequate and full model for depression, probably due to there being multiple aetiological factors. [2] Some pharmacological trial data also cast doubt ...

Milnacipran is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), with a balanced potency for the inhibition of the reuptake of the two monoamines. In this, it contrasts with venlafaxine and duloxetine which, while possessing a dual action, have a selectivity of the order of 30-fold and 10-fold respectively for the reuptake of serotonin. Milnacipran has mainly been launched in countries ...

MAIN RESULTS Thirty five published RCTs met criteria for inclusion in the review (24 trials comparing hypericum extracts with placebo, seven comparing hypericum extracts with older antidepressants, and six comparing hypericum with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). Compared with placebo, hypericum resulted in similar numbers of dropouts due to adverse effects (24 RCTs, 8/1334 (0....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share brain function abnormalities during cognitive flexibility. Serotonin is involved in both disorders, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can modulate cognitive flexibility and improve behavior in both disorders. Thus, this study investigates shared and disorder-specific brain dysfunctions in ...