Prozac: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

This animation shows how Prozac® alleviates depression. It can also be used to illustrate in general how neuron cells communicate with each other and how a neurotransmitter sends a signal from one neuron to another.

Some people with depression have a shortage of serotonin, the "mood" neurotransmitter in the brain. The antidepressant Prozac®, a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), can help correct this imbalance by increasing the brain's own supply of serotonin.

This animation shows how Prozac® acts as a selective inhibitor of Serotonin Reuptake Transporter Protein, thus alleviating depression. In the brain, serotonin is associated with transmission of thoughts and feelings. In a healthy person, an optimal concentration of serotonin is available at the synapse. The imbalance of this neurotransmitter triggers emotional symptoms, like depressed mood, or physical symptoms, like aches and pains.

The blue colored layers represent the trans-membrane structure of both pre- and post-synaptic areas (the upper and lower part of the screen, respectively). Red colored masses in the post-synaptic membrane represent serotonin receptors. There are other membrane proteins as well. Depression can occur when the serotonin transporter protein (a G-protein coupled receptor; shown in white in the pre-synaptic membrane) takes up a serotonin molecule before it has a chance to bind to the post-synaptic receptor. This process is known as reuptake. Prozac® blocks the reuptake of serotonin by disabling the transporter proteins. Consequently, more serotonin molecules will be available to the post-synaptic receptor and thus depression is relieved.

Created by:

Joshua Sisson - URI Electrical Engineering StudentJoshua Sisson
Class of 2005
Electrical Engineering
STA member since 2001




Dr. Bongsup Cho - URI Pharmacy ProfessorDr. Bongsup Cho
Professor of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Prozac
• mechanism
• URI
• animation
• Pharmacy

[iamthejake2000]

prozac FUCKED ME UP, stay far, far away from this drug and all other antidepressants.

[cymbalicnumbers]

Did you get permanent damage? I have been screwed by this drug after only 2 pills, 6 months out my mind is aggro and violently racing. Does it end?

[zibimark]

Credibility "serotonin theory of depression," asks a serious blow to the effectiveness of antidepressant called Stablon that works by reducing the concentration of serotonin in the brain.

[newwoman1124]

Also try adding some changes to diet. Tofu, Most Soy products, Black-eyed Peas, Black and English Walnuts, Almonds, Sesame Seeds, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, and Gluten flour. My son has ADHD and I felt very uncomfortable with him being on that medication-it's a narcotic. So I tried changing our diet around and I after 2 months I saw a big difference. And he's no longer on the meds. =) That's our experience- ALWAYS CONSULT THE DR. FIRST.

[reallysecretusername]

@cymbalicnumbers two pills? that is not enough time to affect anything

[reallysecretusername]

@iamthejake2000 just because it fucked you up doesnt mean that it didnt help others

[andrewcubbie]

Prozac is known for things like that. 

[heartattackstroke]

@cymbalicnumbers I am still affected from SSRIs and I haven't touched them in 8 years. I get zaps the same as I did the day I stopped them. Tha manufacturers state the '...the mechanism of SSRIs is unknown, but it is believed that......[unknown?... Believed?]' I do not understand how those guys can get away with that. Scandelous worldwide swindle, almost makes me think there is some sort of a drugnation thought control conspiracy....... ging on around us. PUT YOUR ARMBAND BACK ON!!!!!

[beautifulbookdork]

@cymbalicnumbers It can't be this drug. This drug takes weeks to have an effect.

[eBiology]

@marinabroom You couldn't have said it any better.

[SovereignBeing]

@TomiBT87 - well i would think so..fish oil and B6 are natural.. u may want to look at a complete B complex for long term use as prolonged use of B6 can put other things out of balance.. and krill is much better than fish these days - no mercury.. see doctor mercola's website.. lots of good info.. exercise is very good for depression also and u can try nightly affirmations.. hope this helps.