Novel Antidepressant Strategies to Optimize Outcome

Article Abstract

A resurgence of interest in the potent neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) and its role in depression has led investigators to realize that norepinephrinereuptake inhibitors (NRIs) may have a greater impact on drive, motivation, energy, and social functioning than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This realization is the result of research on approaches to optimize the outcomes of patients with depression, whereby NE and serotonin have been compared with respect to their effects on antidepressant mechanisms of action and efficacy.