The neurobiology of treatment response to
antidepressants and mood stabilizing medications
by
Young LT, Bakish D, Beaulieu S.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences,
McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5.
youngt@mcmaster.ca.
J Psychiatry Neurosci 2002 Jul;27(4):260-5

ABSTRACT

As the neurobiology of mood disorders and the mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs continue to be elucidated, there has been a shift in emphasis from changes in neurotransmitter release and metabolism to regulation of gene expression and neuroprotection. Evidence from animal studies suggests that drug therapy may act on specific transcription factors and target genes that regulate processes such as neuroprotection and neuronal survival. Clinical studies consistently identify changes in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala that may be related to the course of illness and may be prevented with successful treatment. Together, these findings suggest that clinically relevant neurobiological correlations may ultimately be identified in patients who respond and remit to treatment. With these and future advances in the neuroscience of psychiatry, it may be possible to identify biological markers that will help in decisions about specific treatments for an individual patient.

BDNF
SSRIs
Options
Bupropion
Amineptine
Reboxetine
Nefazodone
Mirtazapine
Venlafaxine
21st Century
Antidepressants
Tranylcypromine
Super small doses
Adult neurogenesis
Chronic depression
Atypical depression
Retarded depression
BDNF and new brain cells
The monoamine hypothesis
Antidepressants and the elderly
The Neurobiology of Depression (pdf)
Types of depression and mood-disorder
Is hippocampal neogenesis critical for therapeutic response?

Refs
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