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Translating the promise of 5HT4 receptor agonists for the treatment of depression.

Authors :
Murphy, Susannah E
de Cates, Angharad N
Gillespie, Amy L
Godlewska, Beata R
Scaife, Jessica C
Wright, Lucy C
Cowen, Philip J
Harmer, Catherine J
Source :
Psychological Medicine; May2021, Vol. 51 Issue 7, p1111-1120, 10p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Animal experimental studies suggest that 5-HT<subscript>4</subscript> receptor activation holds promise as a novel target for the treatment of depression and cognitive impairment. 5-HT<subscript>4</subscript> receptors are post-synaptic receptors that are located in striatal and limbic areas known to be involved in cognition and mood. Consistent with this, 5-HT<subscript>4</subscript> receptor agonists produce rapid antidepressant effects in a number of animal models of depression, and pro-cognitive effects in tasks of learning and memory. These effects are accompanied by molecular changes, such as the increased expression of neuroplasticity-related proteins that are typical of clinically useful antidepressant drugs. Intriguingly, these antidepressant-like effects have a fast onset of their action, raising the possibility that 5-HT<subscript>4</subscript> receptor agonists may be a particularly useful augmentation strategy in the early stages of SSRI treatment. Until recently, the translation of these effects to humans has been challenging. Here, we review the evidence from animal studies that the 5-HT<subscript>4</subscript> receptor is a promising target for the treatment of depression and cognitive disorders, and outline a potential pathway for the efficient and cost-effective translation of these effects into humans and, ultimately, to the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00332917
Volume :
51
Issue :
7
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Psychological Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
151399335
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720000604