Fluoxetine Hydrochloride and Unipolar Depression :: Psychology Medicine Medical Papers

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride and Unipolar Depression Unipolar Depression is a historically documented affliction that many people experience in their lifetime. B.E. Leonard describes it as "a heterogeneous disease state characterized by complex alterations in several Central Nervous System neurotransmitter and receptor systems" (1992). Episodes of depression range from severe bouts that last a minimum of 2 weeks, to years (also known as Dysthymia," requiring a 2 year minimum duration for appropriate diagnosis). Depression interferes with a person's functioning and well-being on the general level of daily tasks and experiences that most of us participate in and take for granted: people experience loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, major changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or waking early in the morning), appetite, and feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, irritation and/or listlessness. (Davison, 2004.) Researchers have long struggled to pinpoint the origins of depression in order to improve quality of life for those who experience it. While no one causal relationship can be labeled as the main factor in depression (genetics, biology, and environment always interplay a complex role in all human experiences), specific correlational evidence has been found. The neurotransmitter serotonin (5 hydroxytryptamine) acts on areas of the Central Nervous System that are responsible for maintaining and regulating anxiety, sleep, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior and pain sensation, and has been found to have exceptionally low activity level in depressed people. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (such as fluoxetine, better known as Prozac) limit the reabsorption of serotonin by blocking receptors at neural level, raising serotonin activity levels and proving effective in helping to treat depression. SSRIs are equally effective as tricyclic drugs, with the particular advantages of not being associated with anticholinergic adverse effects, sedation, cardiotoxicity or massive weight gain, while retaining massive life changing effects. (Leonard.) In this paper, we investigate the synthesis of serotonin, the chemistry and route of access of Fluoxetine, and how the two interact to produce their effects. We study this interaction at the neural level, analyzing the behavioral and physiological changes and results as reported by those who have used the drug. Thus, we progress from profiling the micro level of action to a larger-scale, investigating how fluoxetine and serotonin interact with biology and environment to create the resulting positive and negative effects and, hopefully, to ultimately relieve Unipolar Depression. Serotonin and Fluoxetine: A Prelude to SSRI Functions