Norepinephrine dysfunction in depression.

The study of the noradrenergic neurotransmitter system remains one of the cornerstones of depression research. Better understanding of the action of norepinephrine and other catecholamines at the synaptic and intracellular level holds the potential for providing clues to the etiology of depression and introduces exciting possibilities for the development of novel medications for the treatment of depression. The following review of norepinephrine as it relates to depression will shed light on the current understanding of the noradrenergic system and the role for selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (selective NRIs) in the treatment of depression.