Drugs that Increase Dopamine for Depression: Definition, History, and Further Reading
Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It involves feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty in functioning. While there are many treatments available for depression, the use of drugs that increase dopamine levels has become increasingly popular in recent years. This article will explore the definition, history, and further reading options for drugs that increase dopamine for depression.
Definition:
Drugs that increase dopamine for depression are medications that increase the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and behavior. By increasing dopamine levels, these drugs can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Examples of such drugs include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants.
History:
The use of drugs that increase dopamine for depression has a long history. In the early 20th century, the first antidepressant, imipramine, was developed. This drug works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in regulating mood. While this drug was successful in treating depression, it was soon discovered that increasing dopamine levels could be even more effective.
In the late 1950s, a new class of drugs called MAO inhibitors was developed. These drugs work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down dopamine and other neurotransmitters. This leads to an increase in dopamine levels, which can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Since then, a variety of drugs have been developed to increase dopamine levels. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and atypical antipsychotics. Each of these drugs works differently, but all are effective in treating depression.
Further Reading:
Gill, K., & Nutt, D. (2010). Dopamine and depression. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 34(1), 11-17.
This article provides a review of the literature on the role of dopamine in depression. It discusses the evidence that dopamine is involved in the pathogenesis of depression and the potential therapeutic strategies that involve targeting dopamine.
Hessels, C., & Van Balkom, A. (2017). Antidepressant drugs: Mechanisms of action. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 76, 132-151.
This article provides an overview of the mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs. It examines how different classes of drugs, such as SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, and atypical antipsychotics, work and how they interact with the serotonin and dopamine systems.
Goldberg, J., & Burdick, K. (2014). Antidepressant pharmacotherapy: A review of the effectiveness of different classes of drugs. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16(11), 468.
This review article provides an overview of the different classes of antidepressant drugs and their effectiveness in treating depression. It discusses the efficacy of SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, and atypical antipsychotics in treating depression.
In conclusion, drugs that increase dopamine for depression can be an effective treatment for this common mental health disorder. By increasing dopamine levels, these drugs can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Further reading on this topic can be found in the provided references.