Dopamine D2-like receptors and the antidepressant response.
Converging lines of evidence suggest a role for the mesolimbic dopamine system in the response to somatic antidepressant therapies. Here, we review evidence suggesting that antidepressant treatments of different types share the effect of increasing the sensitivity of dopamine D2-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens, clinical studies suggesting that activation of these receptors has antidepressant efficacy, as well as relevant imaging and genetic data on the role of this system in the antidepressant response. We then attempt to reconcile this data with evidence of a common target of antidepressant drugs in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CREB-BDNF) pathway in a model that suggests potential directions for future inquiry.
Gershon
Ari A
AA
Division of Psychiatry, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. agershon@post.harvard.edu
Vishne
Tali
T
Grunhaus
Leon
L
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D004298:Dopamine