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Modulating the serotonin system in the treatment of major depressive disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 December 2014

Debbi Ann Morrissette  and
Stephen M. Stahl
Debbi Ann Morrissette*
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad, CA, USA Department of Biology, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA, USA Department of Biology, California State University, San Marcos, CA, USA
Stephen M. Stahl
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Education Institute, Carlsbad, CA, USA Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: (Email: dmorrissette@neiglobal.com)
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Abstract

Learning Objective: Discuss the theory of modulation of receptor activity or the blockade of the reuptake of multiple neurotransmitter systems for the future treatment of MDD.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and often crippling psychiatric illness with a high risk of relapse and treatment resistance. In this article, we discuss the role of the serotonergic system in MDD including our current understanding of how various serotonin (5HT) receptors modulate monoamine neurotransmission and behavior. We also discuss how pharmacologic interventions, including novel and existing antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics, may be utilized to adjust serotonergic neurotransmission and provide more effective treatments for patients with MDD.

Keywords

atypical antipsychoticserotoninSERTvortioxetinevilazodone

Information

Type
CME Review Article
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 19 , Issue S1: CME SUPPLEMENT , December 2014 , pp. 54 - 68
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2014 

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Footnotes

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

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