Mood Disorder Pharmacology Flashcards
Criteria for major depressive disorders
- Depressed mood for 2+ weeks
- Anhedonia
- Anxiety
- Disrupted sleep/appetite
- Cognitive deficits
- Loss of self-worth
- Suicidal thoughts
Co-morbid medical/psychiatric conditions with major depressive disorders
CAD, diabetes, stroke, chronic pain, drug abuse
Monoamine hypothesis
MDD caused by a deficiency in cortical/limbic 5HT, NE, DA
Two theories of depression that are non-mutually exclusive
the monoamine hypothesis and the neurotrophic hypothesis
Evidence for the monoamine hypothesis
- Reserprine (monoamine depleter) causes depression
- Dietary changes: patients treated with AD relapse when tryptophan is withdrawn from diet
- Genetics: SNPs in SERT associated with MDD
- 5HT, NE receptors are decreased in MDD patients
- 5HT/NE/DA agents work
Neurotrophic hypothesis
MDD is caused by loss of neurotrophic support and ADs restore neurogenesis and lost synaptic connectivity
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and neurons in a normal state
cell receives input from monoamine and BDNF stimulation, which supports neurotrophy and synaptic connectivity
BDNF and neurons in a depressed state
in part due to interference via glucocorticoids, BDNF is reduced and results in hypotrophy and loss of connectivity
BDNF and neurons in a treated state
monoamines result in increased CREB expression and results in resumption of normal BDNF secretion, re-gained connectivity
BDNF is critical for
neurotrophic support and required for the action of ADs
Evidence for the neurotrophic hypothesis:
- BDNF changes in MDD: stress/pain reduces BDNF, causing structural changes in hippocampus similar to that seen in MDD
- BDNF has AD properties: direct infusion of BDNF in rodent has AD effect
- ADs cause increased BDNF/neurogenesis
- Human MDD and BDNF: MDD associated with drop in BDNF
Why do antidepressants exhibit a delayed onset of several weeks compared to when their biochemical effects are thought to occur?
Time for monoamines to changes synthesis of BDNF, time for restored synaptic connectivity, and time for changes to occur such as up-or down-resgulation in signal transduction machinery
Antidepressant drug classes:
- SSRIs
- SNRIs (Serotonin-NE Reuptake Inhibitors)
- 5-HT2 Antagonists
- Tetracyclic/Unicyclic antidepressants
- MAOIs
SSRIs
- Fluoxetine (Proxac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Which SSRIs inhibit P450s?
- Fluoxetine (Proxac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
What are SSRIs selective for?
more selective for SERT over NET
First choice for treatment of MDD due to safety and efficacy considerations
SSRIs
SSRIs Indications
MDD; Anxiety disorders; Premenopausal Dysphoric disorder; Eating disorders (bulimia only)
GAD
generalized, free-floating anxiety/undue worry
OCD
chronic anxiety-provoking thoughts (obsessions) and temporary anxiolytic actions (compulsions) taken to alleviate the anxiogenic thoughts
PTSD
anxious thoughts, hypervigilance from a traumatic event
Adverse effects of SSRIs
- Sexual dysfunciton
- Weight gain/loss
- Serotonin syndrome
- Adolescent suicide
- Withdrawal sndrome
- Effects on newborns
SSRI withdrawal
dizziness, paresthesias
Effects on newborns when mothers are on SSRIs
persistent pulmonary HTN (serious, fatal sometimes); withdrawal signs in infants; congenital malformations
Newer SNRIs
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Two classes of SNRIs
the older TCAs and a newer group of pure re-uptake inhibitors that hit NET with high affinity
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
- Amitriptyline (many receptors hit)
- Nortriptyline (secondary amine)
- Imipramine (anticholinergic)
- Desipramine (metabolite of imipramine)
- Clomipramine
Clinical use of TCAs
Used only in refractory MDD (not responsive to SSRIs)
Indications of SNRIs
Refractory MDD; anxiety disorders; pain (diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia); enuresis (bed wetting); insomnia
Adverse effects of SNRIs (most apply to the TCAs)
- Cardiotoxicity
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight loss
- Serotonin syndrome (TCA and MAOI co-admin)
- Suicidal thoughts
- Withdrawal syndrome
- Sedation