Sertraline. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlling fundamental physiological aspects of the body. In the central nervous system (CNS), serotonin has a key role in regulating sleep, appetite, sexual desire and mood, also some cognitive function, including memory, learning and depression. Individuals who suffer from major depressive disorder are associated with decreased availability of serotonin or inefficient levels of serotonin. In addition, suicidal patients have indicated low levels of serotonin which has serve as a linkage between serotonin and depression. So when certain regions of the brain lack serotonin, such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, and cortisol areas which are responsible for cognition and other higher processes, it can have a contributing impact to depression. As such, modulating serotonin at these synapses is the major action of several classes of pharmacological antidepressants.
Researchers and drug companies have aim to provide a drug that enables us to maintain serotonin levels or increase serotonin levels. This drug comes about as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which blocks the termination of serotonin reuptake by the presynaptic cell, and increasing serotonergic action in depressed …show more content…
Studies have shown that sertraline provides relative benefits of long term safety, efficacy and tolerability over placebo but this is only evident in patients with severe depression. While depression is now recognised as a recurrent, sometimes chronic, long-term illness. Patients with mild or moderate symptoms had minimal or non-existent benefits. As stated in Lancet, there a large number of patients showing responses to placebo and some supports suggest placebo is equally as effective as antidepressants without the many side effects. That being said, in cases of severe major
Researchers and drug companies have aim to provide a drug that enables us to maintain serotonin levels or increase serotonin levels. This drug comes about as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which blocks the termination of serotonin reuptake by the presynaptic cell, and increasing serotonergic action in depressed …show more content…
Studies have shown that sertraline provides relative benefits of long term safety, efficacy and tolerability over placebo but this is only evident in patients with severe depression. While depression is now recognised as a recurrent, sometimes chronic, long-term illness. Patients with mild or moderate symptoms had minimal or non-existent benefits. As stated in Lancet, there a large number of patients showing responses to placebo and some supports suggest placebo is equally as effective as antidepressants without the many side effects. That being said, in cases of severe major