title: Postreceptor pathways for signal transduction in depression and bipolar disorder.
abstract: Study of the norepinephrine pathway has elucidated the pathophysiology of depression and bipolar disorder. Various elements along this pathway, including adrenoreceptors, G proteins, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), cyclic AMP regulatory element binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, have been identified as potential targets for antidepressants and mood-stabilizing drugs. The results of a wide range of research in this area, along with the hypotheses now under investigation, are summarized in this paper.
authors.affiliation: Regional Mood Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. young@fhs.mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*