Molecular aspects of antidepressive therapy. Transsynaptic effects on signal transduction, gene expression and neuronal plasticity

Thome, J., Duman, R. S., Henn, F. A. (July 2002) Molecular aspects of antidepressive therapy. Transsynaptic effects on signal transduction, gene expression and neuronal plasticity. Nervenarzt, 73 (7). pp. 595-9. ISSN 0028-2804 (Print)0028-2804 (Linking)

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12212521

Abstract

Simple neurotransmitter theories cannot sufficiently explain the mode of action of antidepressant drugs. Molecular pharmacological studies demonstrate that antidepressive treatment initially modulates the neurotransmitter-receptor interaction, subsequently influences signal transduction cascades beyond the synapse and gene transcription mechanisms, and ultimately triggers the expression of specific target genes. Such genes often code for molecules which play an important role in the maintenance of neural and synaptic plasticity. Chronic (but not acute) treatment with antidepressants modulates, for example, the cAMP-second-messenger system and increases the expression of neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, antidepressants promote hippocampal neurogenesis. Stress, an important risk factor for psychiatric disorders, often induces opposite effects. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular effects of stress and therapy with psychotropic drugs will stimulate the development of innovative treatment strategies for which an optimised antidepressant efficacy with a simultaneously improved tolerance is expected.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: Antidepressive Agents/adverse effects/ therapeutic use Brain/ drug effects/physiopathology Depressive Disorder/ drug therapy/genetics Gene Expression/drug effects Humans Nerve Growth Factors/ genetics Neurotransmitter Agents/ genetics Receptors, Neurotransmitter/ drug effects/genetics Signal Transduction/ drug effects/genetics
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
diseases & disorders > mental disorders
diseases & disorders > mental disorders > mood disorders
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions
diseases & disorders > mental disorders > mood disorders > depression
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function > gene expression
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell functions > neural plasticity
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > signal transduction
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Henn lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: July 2002
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2013 20:28
Last Modified: 30 Oct 2013 20:28
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/28797

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