Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant

NaSSA is the abbreviation of noradrenergic and serotonergic antidepressant Specific (German: noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant), a group of antidepressant psychotropic drugs. They belong to the so-called " newer antidepressants ".

This tetracyclic drugs bind to binding sites (receptors ) for the monoamines norepinephrine and serotonin, which normally inhibit the release of these transmitters at the nerve endings in a feedback. Under the influence of the concentration of the NaSSA transmitter increases. This is similar to the effect of NaSSA that of SNRI antidepressants ( selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors ). However, they have a significantly stronger antihistaminic and therefore sedative effect.

NaSSA are antagonists at presynaptic auto- receptors of the Αlpha -2 Adrenozeptortyps and thus cause an increased release of noradrenaline. In addition, they are antagonists of specific serotonin receptors, usually 5 -HT2A and 5- HT2C, 5 - HT 1F but also, or 5- HT 2B depending on NaSSA agent. Mirtazapine is believed to act as an agonist at the serotonin autoreceptors of the 5-HT1A type and therefore prevents mediated? 2A / C blocking gain of the serotonergic transmission. Most NaSSA cause sedation than H1 - antihistamines.

The first NaSSA mianserin was patented by Organon ( Tolvin ®) in 1967 and is available as a generic in the trade. More NaSSA are mirtazapine and the setipiline used in Japan, both of which are chemically closely related to mianserin.