Faster antidepressants

2002/12/23 Andonegi Beristain, Garazi - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Medikuntza
• Unibertsitateak

Depression has become a common disease in our society. However, there are two types of depression that should be differentiated. One would be a punctual depression and another a chronic depression. Anyone has experienced depression in some particular situation, but it occurs when depression becomes a chronic disease. The most important characteristics of this type of depression are two: on the one hand, the vicissitudes presented by the patient and on the other, the inability to completely cure the disease.

The antidepressants used previously had many side effects: they dried the mouth, could not be taken in case of heart problems and had other problems. Now, with new-generation antidepressants, these side effects have been reduced, but they still have a problem that has not been solved: it takes a long time for patients to begin to perceive some improvement. In fact, the effect of antidepressants takes about three weeks, which in some cases is too long.

Foundation of depression

In depression, as in other diseases, neurotransmitters are of great importance. According to the most widespread theory, serotonin and norepinephrine are the two neurotransmitters that contribute most to this disease. In fact, in depressive processes the level of serotonin and noradrenaline decreases (sometimes only one of the two drops and two others). Therefore, the activity of antidepressants is aimed at balancing serotonin and noradrenaline levels. To achieve this, antidepressants act on the brain receptors of these neurotransmitters.

The UPV research team has analyzed the effects of antidepressants on serotonin receptors and noradrenaline receptors, the processes that occur in patients' brains, and substances that accelerate the action of antidepressants, among others. The ultimate goal of the research is to achieve more efficient and faster antidepressants.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to know precisely the brain processes that occur within 2 or 3 weeks after the start of treatment. Through the analysis of the changes that occur, it is intended to find substances that can preoperate them.

Researchers have long begun studying an area of the brain, known as Rafe, where serotonin receptors abound. After analyzing the influence of antidepressants in this area, the same process was carried out in the area of Locus Coeruleus, where the highest number of noradrenaline receptors is concentrated.

After analyzing the influence of antidepressants in both areas, research has focused on the goal of achieving faster antidepressants. This has been done by combining antidepressants used to date with other substances. These substances should accelerate the action of antidepressants, but in principle they are not antidepressants. There are currently many accelerating substances being studied and the influence of one of them is being investigated at the UPV.

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