This article explains the mechanisms of action of antidepressants, their side effects, and how they affect the human brain. It also discusses hyponatremia and Serotonin syndrome. The most common side effects of antidepressants are sedation, insomnia, and anxiety. But how do these drugs affect the human brain? What is the best way to deal with these side effects?
Side effects of antidepressants
Researchers have found that antidepressants have side effects on the human brain. Some of them cause changes in brain structure in people who aren’t depressed. Antidepressants, which include Zoloft and Sertraline, can alter the structure of the human brain. But some of these changes take weeks to appear, while others occur immediately. The main effect of antidepressants on the human brain is their ability to reduce the symptoms of depression.
Although some side effects of antidepressants are less severe than others, there are some that are common and should be monitored by your healthcare provider. These side effects may become milder or disappear over time. It’s always best to discuss your treatment with your healthcare provider to determine how to cope with these effects. For instance, if you feel faint or dizzy, you can try taking your medication with food. To increase your fluid intake, try to get plenty of rest and exercise on a regular basis.
Aside from reducing symptoms, antidepressants can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Some people may experience itching, rashes, or blisters, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing. For those who are sensitive to medications, you should contact a doctor right away if you’re experiencing an allergic reaction. You can also suffer from headaches, sensitivity to light, and nausea.
There are two main types of antidepressants, SSRIs and SNRIs. SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain.
Antidepr
essants Mechanisms of action
The monoamine hypothesis has served as a heuristic framework for the study of depression and the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. While this hypothesis continues to provide important context for the study of antidepressants, subsequent research has led to a shift in thought and practice. Adaptive neurotransmitter changes may be one mechanism of antidepressant action.
In addition to defining the mechanism of action of antidepressants, researchers have identified specific classes of drugs that affect the brain. Most antidepressants are classified based on how they affect the central nervous system, and their mode of action may differ from that of their predecessors. However, all antidepressants have the same general mechanism of action: down-regulation of central ss-adrenergic receptors.
Neurogenesis, a process that results in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neuronal stem cells, is believed to play an important role in the action of antidepressants. Neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus, where neuronal progenitor cells migrate and mature into granule cells. In humans, neurogenesis occurs at a slow but detectable rate. Hence, the mTOR pathway is a major player in the pathophysiology of depression and antidepressant action.
SSRs increase serotonin (5-HT) levels by activating 5-HT4 and 5-HT1A receptors. These compounds are effective in treating both anxiety and mood disorders. Rodents have 14 different 5-HT receptor subtypes and their expression pattern differs regionally. In the dentate gyrus, the 5-HT1A and 5-HT4 receptor subtypes are abundant. Thus, the emergence of new antidepressants based on these findings could be important for the treatment of many diseases.
Serotonin syndrome
A person taking a combination of antidepressants and serotonin-related medications may be at risk for serotonin syndrome. This condition may also occur if the person is taking more than one type of medication or increases the dosage of an existing medication. If you suspect that you may have serotonin syndrome, share your full list of medications with your healthcare provider and discuss your symptoms. If you notice any of the symptoms below, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Patients with serotonin syndrome should seek medical attention immediately after discontinuing the serotonergic medication. The condition typically resolves within three days. The cause of serotonin syndrome is unknown, but the treatment for it involves discontinuation of the antidepressant. Treatment for serotonin syndrome is usually the same as for those who do not develop the condition. Serotonin syndrome is not a serious medical condition, but it is a potentially serious one. Patients should be monitored for muscle pain, temperature, and blood pressure.
A serotonin syndrome diagnosis is based on your medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing. A healthcare provider may also order blood tests to rule out other medical conditions that may look similar to serotonin syndrome. In severe cases, patients may be hospitalized for several days. The drug may take longer to leave the body than the patient’s serotonin levels. A healthcare provider should also monitor the symptoms to determine whether or not they should seek further treatment.
The most common cause of serotonin syndrome is taking multiple drugs with the same serotonin-reuptake inhibitor. Antidepressants are the most common cause of serotonin syndrome. While taking any medication at the recommended dosage is unlikely to cause serotonin syndrome, the condition can occur if you are taking more than one. In such a case, discontinuing all antidepressants will prevent the onset of serotonin syndrome.
Hyponatremia
The tetracyclic antidepressant clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that was synthesized in the late 1950s. Its antipsychotic potency and low rate of extrapyramidal effects make it a promising therapeutic option. It is also used in the management of psychotic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and resistant psychosis. The literature reviews controversial data regarding hyponatremia in patients taking antipsychotics, and some authors defend its use in the PIP syndrome.
While the etiology of hyponatremia is multifactorial, there are pharmacological causes. These include altered sodium and water homeostasis and an increased production of antidiuretic hormone. However, other factors also contribute to the development of hyponatremia, which is a serious adverse side effect of many antidepressants. For these reasons, monitoring sodium levels during the first days of treatment is essential.
Although the incidence of hyponatremia in patients taking antidepressants varies, most studies associated with it have reported a rate of between 0.06-2.6% in patients taking a serum sodium level of 130 mmol/l. This rate of hyponatremia is higher than the incidence in observational studies with antidepressants other than venlafaxine.
Treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation
The effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of depression is unknown. However, a meta-analysis of controlled trials of TMS in patients who failed to respond to antidepressants found that the treatment was more effective than sham stimulation. The optimal protocol for rTMS is not clear, and future studies should focus on how the procedure works with various patients.
Before beginning TMS therapy, a physician will first determine the motor threshold of the patient. This allows the doctor to determine the appropriate dosage for the patient. They can also change the dose according to the patient’s symptoms and side effects. During treatment, the patient will sit in a reclining chair, with ear plugs in their ears. The tapping or clicking sound is part of the mapping process.
A recent study showed that repetitive TMS is about twice as effective as standard antidepressant medication and talk therapy. The research indicates that this treatment has the potential to influence brain function and alleviate symptoms of depression. However, the effects of the therapy may be temporary and will wear off with time. The treatment is safe and FDA-approved, and the effects are temporary.
