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Novel antidepressant drugs: Beyond monoamine targets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2021

Xenia Gonda Open the ORCID record for Xenia Gonda [Opens in a new window] ,
Peter Dome ,
Joanna C. Neill  and
Frank I. Tarazi Open the ORCID record for Frank I. Tarazi [Opens in a new window]
Xenia Gonda
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary NAP-2-SE New Antidepressant Target Research Group, Hungarian Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Peter Dome
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary Nyiro Gyula National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions, Budapest, Hungary
Joanna C. Neill
Affiliation:
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom Medical Psychedelics Working Group, Drug Science, Manchester, United Kingdom
Frank I. Tarazi*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
*
* Author for correspondence: Frank I. Tarazi Email: ftarazi@hms.harvard.edu
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Abstract

Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) including treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a major unmet need. Although there are several classes of dissimilar antidepressant drugs approved for MDD, the current drugs have either limited efficacy or are associated with undesirable side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The efficacy and side effects of antidepressant drugs are mainly attributed to their actions on different monoamine neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine). Development of new antidepressants with novel targets beyond the monoamine pathways may fill the unmet need in treatment of MDD and TRD. The recent approval of intranasal Esketamine (glutamatergic agent) in conjunction with an oral antidepressant for the treatment of adult TRD patients was the first step toward expanding beyond the monoamine targets. Several other glutamatergic (AXS-05, REL-1017, AV-101, SLS-002, AGN24175, and PCN-101) and GABAergic (brexanolone, zuranolone, and ganaxolone) drugs are currently in different stages of clinical development for MDD, TRD and other indications. The renaissance of psychedelic drugs and the emergence of preliminary positive clinical trial results with psilocybin, Ayahuasca, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may pave the way towards establishing this class of drugs as effective therapies for MDD, TRD and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Going beyond the monoamine targets appears to be an effective strategy to develop novel antidepressant drugs with superior efficacy, safety, and tolerability for the improved treatment of MDD and TRD.

Keywords

Antidepressantsglutamatergic drugsmajor depressive disordermonoamine neurotransmitterstreatment-resistant depressionpsychedelic drugs

Information

Type
Review
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , February 2023 , pp. 6 - 15
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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