Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2010 Oct;21(4):173-182.

Is Tianeptine in a Class of Its Own?: Pharmacological Profiles and Clinical Use of Tianeptine

• Woo YS
• Bahk WM

Abstract

Tianeptine is an antidepressant effective in reducing depressive symptoms and combined anxiety symptoms. Tianeptine has drawn much attention, because this compound challenges traditional monoaminergic hypothesis of depression. The involvement of glutamate in the mechanism of action of tianeptine is consistent with glutamate hypothesis of depression which demonstrating the key function of glutamate in the mechanism of altered neuroplasticity that underlies the symptoms of depression. This article reviews the evidence of tianeptine's mechanism of action with a focus on the glutamatergic system in an attempt to provide a possible explanation for the observed beneficial clinical profile of tianeptine in patients with depression.

Keyword

Tianeptine; Depression; Glutamate; Neuroplasticity

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Depression
Glutamic Acid
Humans
Neuronal Plasticity
Thiazepines
Glutamic Acid
Thiazepines