What neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by most antidepressants?

Most antidepressants primarily target serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in mood regulation, emotional well-being, and the overall balance of mood-related processes. The increase in serotonin levels in the brain is a common mechanism of action among many classes of antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). By inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, these medications increase its availability in the synaptic cleft, enhancing neurotransmission and contributing positively to mood enhancement.

The focus on serotonin is rooted in the serotonin hypothesis of depression, which suggests that deficiencies in serotonin contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. Thus, drugs that increase serotonin activity can help alleviate these symptoms and are effective in treating various forms of depression.

In contrast, while norepinephrine and dopamine are also important neurotransmitters associated with mood and mental health, they are not the primary target of most first-line antidepressant treatments, which tend to emphasize the role of serotonin in emotional regulation. GABA, another neurotransmitter, primarily serves an inhibitory function in the brain and is not directly implicated in the mechanism of action for the majority of antidepressants designed for mood disorders.