Agomelatine in Depressive Disorders: Its Novel Mechanisms of Action
Disruptions in sleep and sleep–wake cycle regulation have been identified as one of the main causes for the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. The search has been on for the identification of an ideal antidepressant that could improve both sleep disturbances and depressive symptomatology...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Psychiatric Publishing
2012
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/44437/ http://eprints.usm.my/44437/1/2012_JNCN_-_Agomelatine_in_Depressive_Disorders.pdf |
| Summary: | Disruptions in sleep and sleep–wake cycle
regulation have been identified as one of the main
causes for the pathophysiology of depressive
disorders. The search has been on for the
identification of an ideal antidepressant that could
improve both sleep disturbances and depressive
symptomatology. Melatonin, the major hormone of
the pineal gland, has been shown to improve sleep
and is involved in the regulation of the sleep–wake
cycle. Identification of high concentrations of MT1
and MT2 melatonergic receptors in the
suprachiasmatic nucleus of the anterior
hypothalamus, the structure concerned with
regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep–wake
cycles, has led to the development of melatonergic
agonists with greater potency and longer durations
of action. Agomelatine is one such melatonergic
agonist that acts specifically on MT1/MT2
melatonergic receptors and at the same time exhibits
5-HT2C antagonism, a property that is utilized by
current antidepressants that are in clinical use.
Agomelatine has been shown to be effective in
a number of animal models of depression. |
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