Chapter 2 Recent Developments in Monoamine Reuptake Inhibitors

Abstract

Publisher Summary Monoamine reuptake inhibitors elevate extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and/or dopamine (DA) in the brain by binding to one or more of the transporters responsible for reuptake—namely, the serotonin transporter (SERT), the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT), thereby blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter(s) from the synaptic cleft. Monoamine reuptake inhibitors are an established drug class that has proven utility for the treatment of a number of CNS disorders, especially major depressive disorder (MDD). This chapter discusses single action reuptake inhibitors such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, dopamine reuptake inhibitors. It also discusses dual reuptake inhibitors such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) followed by triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs).