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Notes:
- Most known antidepressants
have a common mechanism of action on certain neurotransmitter receptors.
Antidepressants down-regulate (decrease or desensitize) some receptors
in a delayed time course, which is reflected by the time to onset of
therapeutic effects. Stahl, 1996:133
MAOIs
- MAOIs block monoamine
oxidase (MAO), thereby stopping metabolism of the neurotransmitter.
This increases neurotransmitter availability in the synapse. A long-lasting
blockade of MAO by an MAOI causes some neurotransmitter receptors to
down-regulate. Stahl, 1996:134-135
TCAs
- TCAs block reuptake
pumps for 5-HT and/or norepinephrine; they are negative allosteric modulators.
When TCAs bind to the reuptake pumps, 5-HT and/or norepinephrine cannot
be reshuttled back into the synaptic neuron. Stahl, 1996: 135-136
SSRIs
- SSRIs selectively
block the reuptake pump for 5-HT. Stahl, 1996:146-149
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