Intercellular communication in the central nervous system requires the precise control of the duration and the intensity of neurotransmitter action at the specific receptors. After they have been released at the synapse, neurotransmitters activate pre- and/or postsynaptic receptors. To terminate synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters can, in turn, be inactivated by either enzymatic degradation or active transport into neuronal and/or glial cells by neurotransmitter transporters[1]. Reuptake inhibitors of neurotransmitters have a direct effect on extracellular concentrations of neurotransmitters in the synapses, and therefore influence neurotransmission. Axon Medchem offers inhibitors for a wide range of (monoamine) reuptake inhibitors of high quality.
The serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are dual action antidepressants that inhibit thereuptake of both serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) andnorepinephrine (noradrenaline). SNRIs are a useful alternative to SSRIs and are often used in patients with anxiety disorders, following a partial response or non-response to SSRI treatment[1]. In fact, SNRIs are widely considered to be the first choice for antidepressant therapy: dual-action antidepressants may provide a faster speed of onset and higher rates of remission than the older TCAs and MAOIs while avoiding their intolerable side effects. However, the SNRIs are not side-effect free; venlafaxine (Axon 1727) is associated with an increased risk of sustained hypertension, especially at high doses[3].