
A norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) is a type of
drug
A drug is any chemical substance other than a nutrient or an essential dietary ingredient, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. Consumption of drugs can be via insufflation (medicine), inhalation, drug i ...
that
inhibits the
reuptake of the
monoamine neurotransmitters
norepinephrine and
dopamine and thereby increases
extracellular
This glossary of biology terms is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in biology, the study of life and of living organisms. It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions ...
levels of these neurotransmitters and
noradrenergic and
dopaminergic
Dopaminergic means "related to dopamine" (literally, "working on dopamine"), a common neurotransmitter. Dopaminergic substances or actions increase dopamine-related activity in the brain.
Dopaminergic pathways, Dopaminergic brain pathways facil ...
neurotransmission.
They work by
competitively and/or
noncompetitively inhibiting the
norepinephrine transporter
The norepinephrine transporter (NET), also known as noradrenaline transporter (NAT), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the solute carrier family 6 member 2 (SLC6A2) gene.
NET is a monoamine transporter and is responsible for the sodium ...
(NET) and
dopamine transporter
The dopamine transporter (DAT, also sodium-dependent dopamine transporter) is a membrane-spanning protein coded for in humans by the ''SLC6A3'' gene (also known as ''DAT1''), that pumps the neurotransmitter dopamine out of the synaptic cleft ba ...
(DAT).
NDRIs are used clinically in the treatment of conditions including
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple con ...
(ADHD),
narcolepsy, and
depression. Examples of well-known NDRIs include
methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, sold under the brand names Ritalin ( ) and Concerta ( ) among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It may be taken Oral adm ...
and
bupropion.
A closely related type of drug is a
norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (NDRA).
List of NDRIs
Many NDRIs exist, including the following:
Some NDRIs, such as
methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, sold under the brand names Ritalin ( ) and Concerta ( ) among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It may be taken Oral adm ...
, may not act as simple NDRIs but rather as
DAT "inverse agonists" (and possibly also analogously at the NET as well).
If this theory is correct, then methylphenidate and other agents like
cocaine
Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid and central nervous system stimulant, derived primarily from the leaves of two South American coca plants, ''Erythroxylum coca'' and ''Erythroxylum novogranatense, E. novogranatense'', which are cultivated a ...
may not be acting primarily as
monoamine reuptake inhibitors but instead as robust
monoamine releasing agent-esque drugs, albeit via a different
mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action (MOA) refers to the specific biochemical Drug interaction, interaction through which a Medication, drug substance produces its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes mention o ...
that conventional
substrate-type monoamine releasing agents.
Norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents (NDRAs) like
amphetamine
Amphetamine (contracted from Alpha and beta carbon, alpha-methylphenethylamine, methylphenethylamine) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, an ...
and
methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (contracted from ) is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug use, recreational or Performance-enhancing substance, performance-enhancing drug and less commonly as a secon ...
not only induce monoamine release but also act as monoamine reuptake inhibitors to a lesser extent and hence are additionally NDRIs.
See also
*
Monoamine reuptake inhibitor
*
Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
*
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
*
Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor