Novel strategies for pharmacotherapy of depression.
Modulating monoamine activity as a therapeutic strategy continues to dominate antidepressant research, with a recent emphasis on agents with multiple targets, including combined serotonin/noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors and numerous serotonin receptor ligands. An important new development has been the emergence of potential novel mechanisms of action, notably modulation of the activity of neuropeptides substance P and corticotrophin-releasing factor, and the intracellular messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Efforts in this area have recently been rewarded by the demonstration of antidepressant efficacy of the substance P receptor antagonist MK-0869.
Maubach
K A
KA
Merck Sharp & Dohme Neuroscience Research Centre, Terlings Park, Eastwick Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QR, UK. karen_maubach@merck.com
Rupniak
N M
NM
Kramer
M S
MS
Hill
R G
RG
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D009479:Neuropeptides; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter