α2-Adrenoceptors in the treatment of major neuropsychiatric disorders.

Presynaptic autoreceptors mediate a retrograde transfer of information by a negative feedback mechanism mediated by the transmitter of the neuron, and fulfill an autoregulatory function in neurotransmission in the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). Starting with norepinephrine (NE), it was later reported that an autoreceptor-mediated negative feedback mechanism exists for other neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, GABA, and glutamate. This feedback mechanism regulates calcium-dependent transmitter release and synthesis through terminal presynaptic autoreceptors, while the firing rate of the neuron is regulated through somatodendritic autoreceptors.