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The Platelet α2-Adrenoceptor as a Potential Biological Marker in Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Jesús A. García-Sevilla
Jesús A. García-Sevilla*
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, Vizcaya, Spain
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Extract

Insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of anti-depressant drugs have led to the study of possible dysfunctions of monoamine neurotransmitter receptors in endogenous depression. Presynaptic receptors play an important role in the regulation of transmitter release from neurons. The major mechanism that regulates the release of noradrenaline appears to be feedback inhibition by the neurotransmitter located in the synaptic cleft. This inhibition is mediated by stimulation of a presynaptic autoreceptor, the inhibitory α2-adrenoceptor. When this is stimulated, further release of noradrenaline is inhibited; therefore, increased autoreceptor sensitivity could result in insufficient neuronal release of noradrenaline, and lead to depression.

Type
II. Biological Aspects
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 154 , Issue S4: Psychiatric Diagnosis: Nosological, Biological and Psychological Aspects , May 1989 , pp. 67 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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