Hi Joan, The premise is that the SSRIs that target the 5-HT1a serotonin receptor subtype (as opposed to the 5-HT2 and 5HT-3 subtypes) are effective at reducing depression and anxiety. Although the safety window is broader for the SSRIs than the sedatives or anxiolytics, the SSRIs tend to be more effective, especially the ones that are 5-HT1a agonists and 5-HT 2 & 5-HT3 antagonists. It's fascinating, really to look at the history of drug development. Carol
On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 8:57 PM, Joan Warmbold <[email protected]> wrote: > > What is the rationale for prescribing anti-depressants for various types > of anxiety disorders as well as for depression? To date, all I have been > able to determine is that, due to an increased concern about the tolerance > to sedatives, anti-depressants are now more likely to be prescribed. But > why, in particular, were anti-depressants chosen as a substitute for > anxiety disorders? > > Any assistance here would be much appreciated. > > Joan > Joan Warmbold Boggs > Professor of Psychology > Oakton Community College > [email protected] > > Michael Britt wrote: > > >> I recently received a couple questions about the effect of SSRIs on > >> depression and I'm not quite sure of the answer. Would anyone care > to edify us on these questions? > > David Epstein added: > > > > My shortest, easiest answer--forgive me for doing it without giving > > cites--is that you can't think in global terms about there being "too > > much serotonin" or "too little serotonin." Serotonin is released > > along distinct pathways within the brain onto specific target regions, > > and it does different things in different regions. > > > > This is partly explained by (and partly just complicated by) the fact > > that there are at least 14 different subtypes of receptor for > > serotonin. The receptors aren't like the serotonin transporter that > > SSRIs block. They don't "absorb" serotonin; they're activated by it, > > the way a key on your computer keyboard is activated by your finger > > (without absorbing your finger!). > edu> > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=177920.a45340211ac7929163a0216244443341&n=T&l=tips&o=21909 > or send a blank email to > leave-21909-177920.a45340211ac7929163a0216244443...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > -- Carol DeVolder, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 563-333-6482 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=21910 or send a blank email to leave-21910-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
