Abstract
The implications of the desensitization of the norepinephrine (NE) receptor coupled adenylate cyclase system as a mechanism common to most if not all clinically effective antidepressant treatments have been reviewed.1 More selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) uptake inhibitors, e.g., fluvoxamine, sertraline, and fluoxetine, can now be added to the long list of antidepressant treatments causing down-regulation of β-adrenoceptors. Moreover, prolonged treatment with the atypical antidepressant rolipram attenuates the BE-sensitive adenylate cyclase system linked to down-regulation of β-adrenoceptors.2 This effect of rolipram seems to be mediated via stereospecific and isozyme-specific inhibition of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase. Rolipram thus is the first antidepressant drug to cause desentization to the NE receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system by a mechanism distal to the receptor.
Published Version
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