Abstract
In the last decades, no significant paradigm shifts in the psychopharmacology of major depressive disorder (MDD) have occurred. In fact, after the serendipitous discovery of the first antidepressant, the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of the illness has deeply limited the development of novel antidepressant agents. Although the discovery of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the dual-acting serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors allowed to improve the treatment of MDD, there are still important unmet clinical needs, as the long latency of antidepressant action, the presence of relevant side effects and the lack of efficacy. In fact, even though the available antidepressants have consistently improved the prognosis of the disorder, the pharmacological treatment of MDD is far from being satisfactory and the disorder remains one of the major causes of morbidity and disability worldwide. Recently, besides the classical research involving the monoamines, other non-monoaminergic molecular mechanisms have been explored in search of new antidepressants. Amongst them, the investigation of the central neuropeptides, including substance P, corticotropinreleasing factor, neuropeptide Y, vasopressin and oxytocin, galanin and melanin-concentrating hormone, is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers worldwide. A number of novel compounds acting on neuropeptide receptors have been developed and tested in both animals and humans with different results. In this review, we provided a synthetic overview of the main neuropeptides, going through biochemical and molecular aspects up to preclinical and clinical evidence which link these molecules to the presence of MDD.
Keywords: Antidepressants, corticotropin-releasing factor receptor antagonists, galanin, major depressive disorder, neurokinin receptor antagonists, nemifitide, neuropeptides, vasopressin receptor antagonists
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Non-Monoaminergic Targets for the Development of Antidepressants: Focus on Neuropeptides
Volume: 13 Issue: 1
Author(s): Mario Catena-Dell’Osso, Andrea Fagiolini, Donatella Marazziti, Stefano Baroni and Cesario Bellantuono
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antidepressants, corticotropin-releasing factor receptor antagonists, galanin, major depressive disorder, neurokinin receptor antagonists, nemifitide, neuropeptides, vasopressin receptor antagonists
Abstract: In the last decades, no significant paradigm shifts in the psychopharmacology of major depressive disorder (MDD) have occurred. In fact, after the serendipitous discovery of the first antidepressant, the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of the illness has deeply limited the development of novel antidepressant agents. Although the discovery of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the dual-acting serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors allowed to improve the treatment of MDD, there are still important unmet clinical needs, as the long latency of antidepressant action, the presence of relevant side effects and the lack of efficacy. In fact, even though the available antidepressants have consistently improved the prognosis of the disorder, the pharmacological treatment of MDD is far from being satisfactory and the disorder remains one of the major causes of morbidity and disability worldwide. Recently, besides the classical research involving the monoamines, other non-monoaminergic molecular mechanisms have been explored in search of new antidepressants. Amongst them, the investigation of the central neuropeptides, including substance P, corticotropinreleasing factor, neuropeptide Y, vasopressin and oxytocin, galanin and melanin-concentrating hormone, is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers worldwide. A number of novel compounds acting on neuropeptide receptors have been developed and tested in both animals and humans with different results. In this review, we provided a synthetic overview of the main neuropeptides, going through biochemical and molecular aspects up to preclinical and clinical evidence which link these molecules to the presence of MDD.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Catena-Dell’Osso Mario, Fagiolini Andrea, Marazziti Donatella, Baroni Stefano and Bellantuono Cesario, Non-Monoaminergic Targets for the Development of Antidepressants: Focus on Neuropeptides, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557511307010002
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557511307010002 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...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
-
Analysis of Electrical Brain Waves in Neurotoxicology: Gamma- Hydroxybutyrate
Current Neuropharmacology Kynurenines in the Central Nervous System: Recent Developments
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances in Synthetic Chemistry of Diabetic Research
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Heat Shock Proteins: Therapeutic Perspectives in Inflammatory Disorders
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Colostral Proline-Rich Polypeptides - Immunoregulatory Properties and Prospects of Therapeutic Use in Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Olfactory Dysfunction and Cognitive Impairment in Age-Related Neurodegeneration: Prevalence Related to Patient Selection, Diagnostic Criteria and Therapeutic Treatment of Aged Clients Receiving Clinical Neurology and Community-Based Care
Current Clinical Pharmacology Familial Alzheimers Disease Mutations in Presenilin 1 Do Not Alter Levels of the Secreted Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Generated by β-Secretase Cleavage
Current Alzheimer Research Adrenocortical Crisis Triggered by Levothyroxine in an Unrecognized Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type-2: A Case Report with Review of the Literature
Current Drug Safety Neuropharmacology of Cannabinoid System: From Basic Science to Clinical Applications
Current Neuropharmacology Recent Developments in the Medicinal Chemistry and Therapeutic Potential of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH) Inhibitors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Regulation of FoxP3-Expressing Regulatory T Cells
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Oral Chemotherapy in Elderly Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Adaptation to Traumatic Stress: Resilient Traits, Resources, and Trajectories of Outcomes
Current Psychiatry Reviews Hypericin Ameliorates Maternal Separation-Induced Cognitive Deficits and Hippocampal Inflammation in Rats
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Activation of Protein Phosphatase 2 A (PP2A): A Novel Strategy to Fight Against Human Malignancies?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Potential Targets for the Development of Novel Antidepressants: Future Perspectives
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Antimicrobial Coatings, and Applications for Medical Devices
Recent Patents on Materials Science Tumor Targeted Therapies: Strategies for Killing Cancer but not Normal Cells
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Alginate Based Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery Applications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pharmacogenetic Insights into Depression and Antidepressant Response: Does Sex Matter?
Current Pharmaceutical Design