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Chapter category: Neuropharmacology

SSRI-Induced Changes in Catecholaminergic Transmission

Chapter authors:
S. Clare Stanford

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a chemically diverse group of compounds which share the characteristic of potently inhibiting neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). As their name suggests, the antidepressant effects of SSRIs are widely attributed to their preferential inhibition of 5-HT reuptake rather than that of other endogenous monoamines (noradrenaline and dopamine). However, it has been obvious for some time that the apparent selectivity of SSRIs for inhibition of 5-HT uptake in vivo is much lower than would be predicted from in vitro measurements. Yet, their effects on noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons have attracted detailed attention only relatively recently. These actions are the focus of this chapter, which will consider whether direct or indirect effects of SSRIs on catecholaminereleasing neurons could contribute to their antidepressant actions.

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