[The 5-HT1A receptor: a new effective principle in psychopharmacologic therapy?].
The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptor has been the focus of considerable research effort over a decade. However, the definitive classification of this receptor and the full characterization of its pharmacology is still in progress. On the one hand, the selective serotonin-1A receptor partial agonist anxiolytics were developed first and represented a new class of pharmacological agents that have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). These compounds (e.g. buspirone, gepirone, tandospirone or ipsapirone) offered a completely different pharmacologic approach to this disorder from previous medications as benzodiazepines or alcohol. On the other hand, beta-adrenoceptor blockers (e.g. [-]-pindolol, [-]-propranolol) have been shown to have antagonistic properties on the 5-HT1A receptor side. Preliminary results suggest that beta-adrenoceptor blockers may be useful as adjunctive medication in the treatment of depression by augmenting the antidepressant efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. As the beta-adrenoceptor blockers show also affinities to other 5-HT receptors than the 5-HT1A receptor the recently discovered more selective 5-HT1A antagonists became of interest. The pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic utility of these novel compounds will also be discussed.
Davids
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Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Würzburg.
Lesch
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KP
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Der 5-HT1A-Rezeptor: Ein neues Wirkprinzip psychopharmakologischer Therapiestrategien?