There are three very important neurotransmitters in the brain that antidepressant medications focus on. Firstly, let me briefly review antidepressant medications. Antidepressants are medications that work by increasing the amounts of chemicals or neuro-transmitters in the brain. A very common antidepressant of today is known as Prozac or Fluoxetine (the trade name). Prozac works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.
Now, the three neurotransmitters in the brain are:
1.) Serotonin
2.) Norepinephrine
3.) Dopamine
All three of these chemicals have some influence on depression. As a result, medications have been designed to work on increasing the above neurotransmitters. For example, Prozac works on serotonin and Cymbolta works on both serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is the most researched neurotransmitter so far, but research is looking into how norepinephine and dopamine also influence depression. Another neurotransmitter in the brain that has an influence over depression is aceytlcholine.
Which neurotransmitters are most important in the development of depression?
Answer GABA and serotonin
acetylcholine and GABA
dopamine and epinephrine
norepinephrine and serotonin
Depression has been linked to problems or imbalances in the brain with regard to the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Recently, another neurotransmitter, glutamate, has been implicated in depression as well.
Synaptic cleft
Neurotransmitters to the synapse and the neurotransmitters bind with the receptors releasing the second messengers.
Cells known as astrocytes can remove neurotransmitters from the receptor area.
Dendrites
mitochondrion
antidepressants
Antidepressants affect brain chemistry and the balance of neurotransmitters which can cause headaches. If your headaches continue, maybe you should switch antidepressants.
heterocyclic antidepressants (HCAs), such as amitriptyline (Elavil)
Psychotropics (stimulants, depressants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedative/hypnotics, antipsychotics, dissociatives, etc.)
synaptic signaling
Synaptic cleft
There are many drugs aimed at preventing or treating pain. Nonopioid analgesics, narcotic analgesics, anticonvulsant drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the production, release, or uptake of neurotransmitters.
Antidepressants work by increasing the quantity and action of all or some of the neurotransmitters, namely (1)serotonin, (2)dopamine, (3) norepinephrine at the synapses in brain in a person suffering from depression.
There are many excellent antidepressants, many of the best are in the class of SSRI antidepressants because they have fewer and less severe side effects than older types (e.g. MAOI antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants).However what works for one person does not for another, so you and your psychiatrist may have to try several before finding a good antidepressant for you.
Nobody knows exactly how these drugs help, but the current theories indicate that they act by increasing or decreasing availability of specific neurotransmitters inside the synaptic gap between nerve cells.
Xanax is not an antidepressants; antidepressants are not like Xanax.
Nonopioid analgesics, narcotic analgesics, corticosteroids, anticonvulsant drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the production, release, or uptake of neurotransmitters. Nonopioid analgesics are used for treatment of minor pain.