Abstract
The findings regarding direct, early and long-term biochemical effects of antidepressants are summarized in this review. Mechanisms of action of other drugs showing antidepressant activity are mentioned as well as alternative possibilities of adjuvants.
Psychotropic drugs used in the therapy of mood disorders show neurotrophic or neuroprotective effects after long-term treatment. Thus, next to adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, phosphoinositide and calcium systems, attention has been paid to tyrosine kinase pathway and Wnt pathway.
Knowledge about biological markers of mood disorders and predictors of efficiency of pharmacotherapy is included also in relation to importance, potentialities and perspectives in the development of new antidepressants.