Dopamine, depression and antidepressants

Authors: Eric Dailly; Franck Chenu; Caroline E. Renard; Michel Bourin

Source: Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, Volume 18, Number 6, December 2004 , pp. 601-607(7)

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Abstract:

The relationship between depression and dopamine deficiency in the mesolimbic pathway has been hypothesized for many years. The experimental studies with animal models of depression and the human studies implicate the role of the dopamine system in depression. Not only do dopaminergic receptor agonists, but also antagonists such as olanzapine exhibit antidepressant effects associated with standard antidepressants in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This paradoxical result suggests that further investigations are necessary to understand the role played by dopamine in depression.

Keywords: antidepressants; depression; dopamine

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-8206.2004.00287.x

Publication date: 2004-12-01