PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a condition characterized by unwanted symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, and depression. These symptoms tend to occur during the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle and tend to subside approximately a couple days after the start of the menstrual period. As of now, these current symptoms …
Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (DRIs) are drugs that function by preventing the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The fact that they prevent dopamine reuptake leads to increased concentrations of dopamine between synapses. This increases stimulation of the central nervous system and tends to improve cognitive function, alertness, and performance. These medications are most often utilized for …
Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs) are drugs that function by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. This leads to increased neural concentrations of these activating neurotransmitters, resulting in increased stimulation of the central nervous system. Certain NDRIs inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine to a greater extent than dopamine (and vice versa). Others may have …
Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (NRIs) are drugs that function primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and/or epinephrine (adrenaline). Inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine tends to elicit stimulating effects, thereby increasing both cortical arousal and energy levels. The NRI drugs are typically prescribed to individuals that may benefit from increased arousal such as …
In recent years, biotech and pharmaceutical companies have been developing new classes of antidepressants. These new classes attempt to improve on older classes of medication in regards to efficacy, side effects, and tolerability. One such class that is being developed is that which targets opioid receptors, particularly the kappa receptor. These drugs are classified as …
Individuals diagnosed with major depression often are found to have reduced volume within their hippocampus. The hippocampus is a small region of the brain that is responsible for regulating various memory and spatial navigation functions. It is also believed to play a pivotal role in the regulation of mood. Modern day antidepressants such as SSRIs …
The quest to come up with a superior antidepressant is in full effect among biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Although there are some companies that are still tweaking various formulations of serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic substances (e.g. triple reuptake inhibitors) others are thinking outside the box. Based on current trends, the next decade or two of …