B6 - Synapses

Question 1

How do antidepressants such as PROZAC work?

Answer 1

Serotonin is a transmitter substance. By blocking the reuptake of serotonin, this increases the concentration. When an impulse is transmitted across the synapse, serotonin is released from the first synapse and it binds to receptors on the membrane of the next neurone allowing the impulses to continue. Serotonin is not removed, increasing the concentration. This means more serotonin molecules are able to bind to receptors on the second neurone causing more impulses to pass.