1 We reviewed the evidence for the efficacy and acceptability of serotonin reuptake inhibitors compared with the tricyclic and related antidepressants by meta-analysis.

2 Many drugs interfere with the reuptake of a neurotransmitter from synapses.

3 Many antidepressants just slow down the reuptake of the neurotransmitter into the presynaptic terminal.

4 The other argument for prescribing serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been their reported lower toxicity in overdose compared with some antidepressants.

5 However, disagreement exists about the role of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating major depression.

6 Other drugs block the reuptake of acetylcholine from a synapse and at the junction between neurones and muscles.

7 The concept works on the same principle as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs),[] such as popular antidepressant Prozac.

8 Thus, serotonin has only a brief influence on the target neurons. Drugs that prevent this re-uptake, such as Prozac, are frequently used to treat patients with depression.

9 These genes code for enzymes involved in the metabolism of many drugs, including selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

10 This invention relates to novel alkyl substituted piperazine derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.