Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants are more commonly referred to as:Multiple choice question.tetracyclicsSSRIsMAO inhibitorstricyclics

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the class of antidepressants referred to in the question.
2. Analyse the given options to find which one correctly describes noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants.

Relevant Concepts

• Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) are a class of antidepressants which primarily affect noradrenaline and serotonin transmission.
• The options provided generally categorize different types of antidepressants:
  1. Tetracyclics
  2. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
  3. MAO inhibitors (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
  4. Tricyclics

Analysis and Detail

1. Tetracyclics: This term typically refers to certain older antidepressants that have a four-ring structure. While NaSSAs can be considered related to certain tetracyclic antidepressants, this term isn't commonly used to refer to NaSSAs specifically.
2. SSRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors mainly target serotonin levels, making them distinct from NaSSAs, which also involve noradrenaline.
3. MAO Inhibitors: These work by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase, affecting serotonin and norepinephrine levels, but they do not fit the description provided in the question.
4. Tricyclics: These are an older class of antidepressants, but they generally act on neurotransmitters differently, focusing more on reuptake inhibition rather than being specifically noradrenergic and serotonergic.

Verify and Summarize

From the analysis, the most accurate label for noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants is tetracyclics, since NaSSAs often fall under this broader category.

Final Answer

Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants are more commonly referred to as tetracyclics.