title: The symptoms, neurobiology, and current pharmacological treatment of depression.
abstract: Depression as a medical disorder increasingly is being recognized and treated. The mood of an individual with major depression is often described as sad, hopeless, or discouraged, and there are many physical symptoms associated with depression. Pharmacologic treatments for depression have advanced greatly since the development of the first therapies, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Many medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), currently are available to help combat this health problem. Newer medications have eliminated many of the side effects associated with older therapies, and treatments in development are designed with the goal of further improving on efficacy while eliminating side effects.
authors.affiliation: IntraMed Educational Group, 230 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003, USA. sto1967@aol.com
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Zepf
authors.forename: Alisa G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009446:Neurobiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors