Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant

File:Mirtazapine.svg

Chemical structure of the prototypical NaSSA mirtazapine (original brand name Remeron)

Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) are a class of psychiatric drugs used primarily as antidepressants.<ref name="Julien2004">Template:Cite book</ref> They act by antagonizing the α₂-adrenergic receptor and certain serotonin receptors such as 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C,<ref name="Julien2004" /> but also 5-HT₃,<ref name="Julien2004" /> 5-HT₆, and/or 5-HT₇ in some cases. By blocking α₂-adrenergic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors, NaSSAs enhance adrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain involved in mood regulation,<ref name="Julien2004" /> notably 5-HT_1A-mediated transmission.<ref name="HalesShahrokh2009">Template:Cite book</ref> In addition, due to their blockade of certain serotonin receptors, serotonergic neurotransmission is not facilitated in unwanted areas, which prevents the incidence of many side effects often associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants;<ref name="Julien2004" /><ref name="Publishers1998">Template:Cite book</ref> hence, in part, the "specific serotonergic" label of NaSSAs.<ref name="HalesShahrokh2009" />

List of NaSSAs

The NaSSAs include the following agents:

• Aptazapine (CGS-7525A)
• Esmirtazapine (ORG-50,081)
• Mianserin (Bolvidon, Norval, Tolvon)<ref name="Carlstedt2009">Template:Cite book</ref>
• Mirtazapine (Norset, Remeron, Avanza, Zispin)<ref name="Carlstedt2009" />
• Setiptiline/teciptiline (Tecipul)

Notably, all of these compounds are analogues and are also classified as tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) based on their chemical structures.

S32212, a structurally novel NaSSA with an improved selectivity profile (e.g., no antihistamine effects, etc.), was reported in 2012.<ref name="pmid22178752">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pmid22178753">Template:Cite journal</ref> It has completed preliminary preclinical research and may go on to undergo clinical trials.

See also

• Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI)
• Serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS)
• Norepinephrine-dopamine disinhibitor (NDDI)
• Tetracyclic antidepressant
• Norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor
• Atypical antidepressant

Further reading

• Template:Cite journal

External links

• Template:Commonscatinline