Adrenoceptors: A Focus on Psychiatric Disorders and Their Treatments

S. Clare Stanford, David J. Heal

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter or section

Abstract

Research into the involvement of adrenoceptor subtypes in the cause(s) of psychiatric disorders is particularly challenging. This is partly because of difficulties in developing animal models that recapitulate the human condition but also because no evidence for any causal links has emerged from studies of patients. These, and other obstacles, are outlined in this chapter. Nevertheless, many drugs that are used to treat psychiatric disorders bind to adrenoceptors to some extent. Direct or indirect modulation of the function of specific adrenoceptor subtypes mediates all or part of the therapeutic actions of drugs in various psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, interactions with central or peripheral adrenoceptors can also explain their side effects. This chapter discusses both aspects of the field, focusing on disorders that are prevalent: depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, binge-eating disorder, and substance use disorder. In so doing, we highlight some unanswered questions that need to be resolved before it will be feasible to explain how changes in the function of any adrenoceptor subtype affect mood and behavior in humans and other animals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdrenoceptors
Subtitle of host publicationHandbook of Experimental Pharmacology
EditorsJ. G. Baker, M. C. Michel, R. J. Summers
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages507-554
Number of pages48
Volume285
ISBN (Electronic)9783031667763
ISBN (Print)9783031667756
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jul 2023
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameHandbook of Experimental Pharmacology
PublisherSpringer Heidelberg
Volume285
ISSN (Print)0171-2004

Keywords

  • Adrenoceptor subtypes
  • Anxiety
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Binge-eating disorder
  • Cognition
  • Depression
  • Neurogenesis
  • Opiate/opioid withdrawal syndrome
  • Schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Adrenoceptors: A Focus on Psychiatric Disorders and Their Treatments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this