Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block the reuptake of serotonin by the serotonin transporter (SERT) protein, a type of monomine transporter. They are commonly used in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
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In the nervous system, electrical signals are sent down a nerve cell (neuron) to a synapse that transmit the electrical signal from one nerve cell to another.
Their main purpose is to limit the transmission of the nerve impulse to one direction–from the body cells to the brain in response to a stimulus (along a sensory neuron), or from the brain to an effector cell (along a motor neuron) to activate a response.
When the presynaptic neuron is stimulated by a nerve impulse, certain channels are opened in the membrane of the nerve cell. This allows calcium ions to flow in and signal to vesicles containing neurotransmitters to empty their contents into the synaptic cleft.
The neurotransmitters travel across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. This leads to the depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron, continuing the propagation of the nerve impulse along the next nerve cell.
One example of a neurotransmitter is serotonin, which contributes to feelings of happiness and enjoyment. When someone is suffering from depression, less serotonin is released by the presynaptic neuron, meaning that mood can radically be affected. Many different drugs, including neurotransmitter analogues act via this mechanism.
Monoamine transporters
Monoamine transporters are a class of protein found in the cell membrane of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. They function as transporter protein of the neurotransmitters commonly used in synaptic transmission.
There are three types of monoamine transporter: the serotonin transporter (SERT), the dopamine transporter (DAT), and the norepinephrine transporter (NET). These transporters facilitate the uptake of neurotransmitters following the propagation of an electrical impulse through a synapse, where the neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
The different types of monoamine transporters bind their respective neurotransmitter and move them back into the presynaptic neuron.
SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used as antidepressants to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. They inhibit reuptake of serotonin via the monoamine transporter SERT that bind to an allosteric site on SERT (a binding site on the protein which is not the main active site). This blocks the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron.
The exact structure of this binding site is currently not known–when SSRIs bind to this site it causes any ligands that bind to SERT, such as serotonin, to dissociate.
2-Minute Neuroscience: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Discovery of SSRIs
SSRIs are second-generation antidepressants, meaning that they were first introduced in the 1970s and 80s, after the introduction of TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants). TCAs inhibit the action of both SERT and NET and are considered to be a first generation MAT inhibitor antidepressant.
Side-effects of SSRIs
SSRIs, such as fluoxetine, citalopram and paroxetine have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. For example, common TCA’s, such as imipramine and clomipramine can cause blurred vision, dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and drowsiness. The side effects of SSRIs include nausea or vomiting, a common side effect of many drugs.
SSRI’s are therefore a very useful inhibitor of monoamine transporters, and can greatly help with depression. They are widely distributed and are one of the most common antidepressants.
Further Reading
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