[Development of antidepressant drugs. Experience and prospects].
THE FIRST ROUTES OF RESEARCH: The first antidepressants were developed after the discovery of the existence during depression of a perturbation in the synaptic transmission of the principle monoamines: noradrenalin, serotonin and dopamine. The pharmacological effect of the various molecules developed is mainly on the metabolisation routes of neurotransmitters, but may also concern the different receptors present on synaptic level. THE AWARENESS OF NEW MEDIATORS: The progress in research on antidepressants has widened the scope of the development of such medicinal products to the domain of endocrinology (hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, progestogen hormones, thyreotropic axis) and studies on neuropeptides (substance P, neuropeptide Y). The complexity of the physiopathological mechanisms of depression hence appears enhanced.
Laboratoire de pharmacologie-toxicologie, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, CHU, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay 51092 Reims.
Nicolas
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Bouvier
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T
Trenque
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Millart
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter