What Do Antidepressants Do To The Brain?

Posted on Fri, 26 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 Answered on

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : what do antipressants do to the brain

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (-5 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Antidepressants activate the brain and alleviate depression by numerous mechanisms some amongst them are as follows:

1) Neurogenesis- formation of new nerves. Depression leads to nerve inactivity, hence new nerves take charge and alleviate the effects of depression

2) Increase Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which is a activating chemical mediator.

3) Increase cortisol production which imp[rove the brain functioning.

Hope, I answered your query.

Please let me know if there are any other concerns.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar