title: [Mechanism of action of antidepressants].
abstract: Modifications in noradrenergic and serotonergic systems are involved in the central mechanism of action of antidepressants. Most antidepressants (electroconvulsive therapy included) induce a desensitization of the beta-noradrenergic receptor, as shown by a decrease in noradrenaline-stimulated cAMP production. Down-regulation of the beta receptor is often associated with desensitization, as well as modifications in the activity of the serotonergic system, among which alternations in 5-HT2 receptors are frequent. Finally, complex interactions between noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors may also contribute to the pharmacological effect of long term antidepressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Service de psychiatrie d'adultes, Hbopital Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Llorca
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reine
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D009638:Norepinephrine
vernacular_title: Mécanisme d'action des antidépresseurs.