There is growing evidence that neurotrophins besides their well-established actions in regulating the survival, differentiation, and maintenance of the functions of specific populations of neurons, act as the potential mediators of antidepressant responses. Previous studies on the regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) levels by psychotropic medications are limited in scope and the underlying mechanism(s) remain elusive. In this review, the latest findings on the effects of pharmacologically heterogeneous groups of psychotropic drugs on NGF contents in the brain regions involved in the modulation of emotions are summarized. Moreover, the therapeutic potentials of the endocannabinoid system which is linked to depression and/or antidepressant effects and appears to interact with neurotrophin signalling, are reviewed. New findings demonstrate that endocannabinoid system is involved in the mechanisms of action of certain psychotropic medications including neurokinin receptor antagonists and that these are mediated via the upregulation of brain regional levels of NGF. This provides a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders, leading to novel drug designs.
Biomedical Reviews 2010; 21: 31-46.
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