Abstract
Depressive disorders have, for a sizeable extent, proven resilient to pharmacotherapy. Established drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) often provide inadequate symptom relief and sometimes fail altogether. Recently, interest in antidepressant effects of scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist, has arisen. Initial evidence suggests that scopolamine provides relatively rapid and long-lasting symptom alleviation for unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. At the same time, side effects of medical dosages appear mild and transient in nature. The aim of the present review is to tentatively discuss the antidepressant potential of scopolamine and to outline putative neurobiological pathways. Clearly, mAChR antagonism provides an intriguing novel therapeutical approach for treating depressive disorders.
Keywords: Acetylcholine, antidepressants, depression, muscarinic receptors, monoamines, scopolamine.
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title:Scopolamine and Depression: A Role for Muscarinic Antagonism?
Volume: 13 Issue: 4
Author(s): Helge Hasselmann
Affiliation:
Keywords: Acetylcholine, antidepressants, depression, muscarinic receptors, monoamines, scopolamine.
Abstract: Depressive disorders have, for a sizeable extent, proven resilient to pharmacotherapy. Established drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) often provide inadequate symptom relief and sometimes fail altogether. Recently, interest in antidepressant effects of scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist, has arisen. Initial evidence suggests that scopolamine provides relatively rapid and long-lasting symptom alleviation for unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. At the same time, side effects of medical dosages appear mild and transient in nature. The aim of the present review is to tentatively discuss the antidepressant potential of scopolamine and to outline putative neurobiological pathways. Clearly, mAChR antagonism provides an intriguing novel therapeutical approach for treating depressive disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Hasselmann Helge, Scopolamine and Depression: A Role for Muscarinic Antagonism?, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2014; 13 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140618105710
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140618105710 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Adenosine A<sub>3</sub> Receptor: A promising therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease
Current Cardiology Reviews Cardioprotective Effects and <i>in-silico</i> Antioxidant Mechanism of L-Ergothioneine in Experimental Type-2 Diabetic Rats
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Endothelin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Current Enzyme Inhibition From Rapid to Delayed and Remote Postconditioning: The Evolving Concept of Ischemic Postconditioning in Brain Ischemia
Current Drug Targets What is the Evidence for the use of Adrenaline in the Treatment of Neonatal Hypotension?
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry IgG Dimers in Multidonor-Derived Immunoglobulins: Aspects of Generation and Function
Current Pharmaceutical Design Humic Acids as Therapeutic Compounds in Lead Intoxication
Current Clinical Pharmacology The Quality of Life of Thalassemic Patients: The Role of Endocrine Defect Compensation
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Acute Antithrombotic Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Current Vascular Pharmacology Platelet Aggregation and Exogenous Factors From Animal Sources
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Endocannabinoids in Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Radiolabelled Regulatory Peptides for Imaging and Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry PPAR Ligands Containing Stilbene Scaffold
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Prophylactic Neuroprotection
Current Drug Targets Pathomechanisms of Myocardial Dysfunction in Sepsis
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Endothelin Receptors, Mitochondria and Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemia
Current Neuropharmacology Hydrogen Sulfide and its Modulation in Arterial Hypertension and Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Sacubitril/Valsartan: A New Dawn has Begun! A Revisited Review
Current Cardiology Reviews Beneficial Effects of Corn Silk on Metabolic Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neuroprotection and Hypothermia in Infants and Children
Current Drug Targets