Tricyclic antidepressants act by blocking the reuptake of which neurotransmitters?

Tricyclic antidepressants act by blocking the reuptake of which neurotransmitters?

• A. Norepinephrine and Dopamine
• B. Serotonin and Dopamine
• C. Norepinephrine and Serotonin
• D. Acetylcholine and GABA

Answer: (C)

Tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the reuptake transporters for norepinephrine and serotonin. By inhibiting NET and SERT, these drugs keep more of these two neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, boosting signaling in brain pathways involved in mood and arousal. This dual action on norepinephrine and serotonin is why they’re effective for mood disorders. Dopamine isn’t the primary target of their reuptake blockade, though some TCAs may have modest effects on dopamine transporters. Acetylcholine and GABA aren’t the main reuptake systems affected by TCAs, so their reuptake isn’t the principal mechanism driving the antidepressant effect.

Tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the reuptake transporters for norepinephrine and serotonin. By inhibiting NET and SERT, these drugs keep more of these two neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, boosting signaling in brain pathways involved in mood and arousal. This dual action on norepinephrine and serotonin is why they’re effective for mood disorders.

Dopamine isn’t the primary target of their reuptake blockade, though some TCAs may have modest effects on dopamine transporters. Acetylcholine and GABA aren’t the main reuptake systems affected by TCAs, so their reuptake isn’t the principal mechanism driving the antidepressant effect.