Antidepressant Medications Quiz

Nausea

2nd & 3rd generation antidepressants

SSRIs

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Serotonin

Delayed onset of action

Mesolimbic pathway

Decreased activity in the serotonin system

Decreased binding protein and quantity of 5-HT1A receptors

Regulating mood and arousal

Inhibiting serotonin reuptake

Third-generation antidepressants

Block reuptake transporter proteins

SSRIs

Weight gain

Individual differences and symptom severity

Causing nightmares

TCAs

Anticholinergic effects

First-generation antidepressants

Nausea and headache

Treating depression

Affecting sleep with varying drug-dependent effects

The harmful effects of TCAs on sexual functioning in males include difficulty achieving orgasm, and in both males and females, there may be difficulties with sexual functioning.

SSRIs and SNRIs may lead to delayed ejaculation or loss of interest in sex, affecting reproduction.

The warning label on SSRIs indicates that children and adolescents are at a higher risk of violence and suicide when taking SSRIs.

The alternative treatments mentioned in the text include natural remedies, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and exercise therapy.

The three major monoamine pathways involved in neurotransmission are the tuberinfundibular pathway, nigrostriatal pathway, and mesocortical pathway. They are responsible for functions such as reward, motivation, voluntary behavior, attention, sleep/wake cycle, feeding, emotions, and the fight/flight response.

Serotonin is involved in the serotonergic system, where it plays a role in regulating mood, arousal, and the sleep/wake cycle. Additionally, serotonin is involved in attention, feeding, emotions, and the fight/flight response.

The monoamine theory of depression proposes that decreased activity in the serotonin system is involved in depression. This is characterized by low levels of 5-HT, tryptophan, and 5-H1AA, as well as decreased numbers of 5-HT transporter proteins and 5-HT1A receptors.

The glucocorticoid theory of depression suggests that during chronic stress, the HPA axis may become overactive, leading to long-lasting consequences on the structure and function of monoamine systems.

The merging theories propose that stress hormones interact in complex ways with monoamine systems. Chronic stress can have long-lasting consequences on the structure and function of monoamine systems, indicating a complex relationship between stress, hormones, and neurotransmission.

The main challenge is that it can take 4-12 weeks for antidepressant medication to achieve its full effectiveness and relieve symptoms, and not necessarily in all individuals.

Chronic stress can have long-lasting consequences on the structure and function of monoamine systems, suggesting that stress can impact the neurotransmission and hormonal balance in the body.

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin play key roles in the monoamine pathways, influencing mood, arousal, behavior, reward, motivation, and the sleep/wake cycle.

First-generation antidepressants include MAOIs and TCAs, second-generation includes SSRIs, and third-generation/atypicals include venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, mirtazapine, and bupropion.

MAOIs inhibit MAO, TCAs block reuptake transporter proteins, SSRIs block 5-HT reuptake transporter proteins, and SNRIs block 5-HT, NE, and/or DA reuptake transporter proteins.

MAOIs, TCAs, and SSRIs have similar absorption pharmacokinetics, with SSRIs having slower absorption than TCAs.

Pharmacotherapy often begins with treating with one drug, often SSRIs or newer drugs, and may involve dosing adjustments or combination of drugs.

Individual differences play a significant role in determining the best fit, with symptom severity being a major predictor.

MAOIs can cause weight gain, dizziness, and adverse interactions, TCAs have anticholinergic effects, and SSRIs may cause mild effects such as nausea and headache.

All antidepressants affect sleep, with varying drug-dependent effects, and high doses can cause nightmares.

Antidepressants can have subjective effects, effects on performance, and potential tolerance and withdrawal effects.

The main challenge lies in individual differences and placebo response rates can be as high as 30%.

Antidepressants cross the blood-brain and placental barriers, and can be found in significant quantities in breast milk.

Half-lives vary for different antidepressants, with considerable individual variability in pharmacokinetics.

Classes of antidepressants have developed over time, from first-generation (MAOIs, TCAs), to second-generation (SSRIs), and third-generation (SNRIs), influencing the choices in pharmacotherapy.