One Biological Treatment
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):
Oldest antidepressants which appeared in Most commonly prescribed antidepressants
the 1950s. in the UK.
Monoamine depletion hypothesis would Interact with substantially fewer
predict that a drug that prevents compounds than MAOIs and are much less
monoamine depletion should enhance dangerous in overdose.
mood. SSRIs block the serotonin transporter, so
After neurotransmission, serotonin serotonin cannot be recycled and remains
molecules are reabsorbed by the in the synapse for further use.
presynaptic cell where they are broken Prolongs the antidepressant effects of
down into their chemical constituents by serotonin through repeated binding with
the enzyme MAOIs. receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
MAOIs inhibit MAO, increasing the
availability of serotonin for future release
into the synapse. Serotonin-noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
(SNRIs):
Developed to reflect the understanding
Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic that noradrenaline plays a key role in
Antidepressants (NaSSAs): regulation of mood.
Especially useful for those individuals who Work in a similar way to SSRIs, but target
have not benefited from SSRIs/SNRIs, noradrenaline as well as serotonin,
either because they are ineffective or their inhibiting the reuptake of both
side effects were intolerable. neurotransmitters.
Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and
noradrenaline.
Also antagonists of serotonin and Evaluation
noradrenaline receptors.
14 types of serotonin receptor - one
particularly implicated in depression. Weakness:
Drug treatments relieve symptoms of
depression but do not tackle the cause.
Stabilise the dysfunctional serotonin
Application: circuits in the brain, but only for as long
Side effects linked to drugs. as the person takes the drug.
Most are common and mild but some are Benefits are limited and not long-term
rare and severe. unless the person continues to take them,
Readily react with other drugs and with which is why a psychological therapy is
chemicals in food. often more useful.
Controlled with careful monitoring.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):
Oldest antidepressants which appeared in Most commonly prescribed antidepressants
the 1950s. in the UK.
Monoamine depletion hypothesis would Interact with substantially fewer
predict that a drug that prevents compounds than MAOIs and are much less
monoamine depletion should enhance dangerous in overdose.
mood. SSRIs block the serotonin transporter, so
After neurotransmission, serotonin serotonin cannot be recycled and remains
molecules are reabsorbed by the in the synapse for further use.
presynaptic cell where they are broken Prolongs the antidepressant effects of
down into their chemical constituents by serotonin through repeated binding with
the enzyme MAOIs. receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
MAOIs inhibit MAO, increasing the
availability of serotonin for future release
into the synapse. Serotonin-noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
(SNRIs):
Developed to reflect the understanding
Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic that noradrenaline plays a key role in
Antidepressants (NaSSAs): regulation of mood.
Especially useful for those individuals who Work in a similar way to SSRIs, but target
have not benefited from SSRIs/SNRIs, noradrenaline as well as serotonin,
either because they are ineffective or their inhibiting the reuptake of both
side effects were intolerable. neurotransmitters.
Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and
noradrenaline.
Also antagonists of serotonin and Evaluation
noradrenaline receptors.
14 types of serotonin receptor - one
particularly implicated in depression. Weakness:
Drug treatments relieve symptoms of
depression but do not tackle the cause.
Stabilise the dysfunctional serotonin
Application: circuits in the brain, but only for as long
Side effects linked to drugs. as the person takes the drug.
Most are common and mild but some are Benefits are limited and not long-term
rare and severe. unless the person continues to take them,
Readily react with other drugs and with which is why a psychological therapy is
chemicals in food. often more useful.
Controlled with careful monitoring.
