selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Noun: A selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor is a class of antidepressant medication. Its primary mechanism of action is to selectively block the reabsorption (reuptake) of the neurotransmitter serotonin into the nerve cells that released it. This inhibition results in a higher concentration of serotonin being available in the synaptic cleft (the space between nerve cells) to stimulate receptors in the brain, which is believed to alleviate symptoms of depression and related conditions.
This term is used in medical, psychiatric, and pharmacological contexts to describe a specific type of psychotropic drug. It is often abbreviated as SSRI.
Examples: * The doctor prescribed a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor to treat her major depressive disorder. * Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly considered a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. * Compared to older antidepressants, selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors generally have a more favorable side-effect profile.
- The term is frequently used in discussions comparing different classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
- It appears in research literature concerning the neurochemical basis of mood and anxiety disorders.
- SSRI (Noun): The standard and most common acronym for "selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor."
- Fluoxetine was the first SSRI approved for clinical use in the United States.
- SSRI antidepressant (Noun): A more descriptive synonym.
- Serotonin reuptake blocker (Noun): A less technical, descriptive term for the same mechanism.
Note: While "antidepressant" is a broader category that includes SSRIs, it is not a direct synonym, as many antidepressants (e.g., TCAs, MAOIs) work through different mechanisms.
- an antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin is available to act on receptors in the brain