The importance of norepinephrine in depression

Figures & data

Figure 1 Sagittal section of the human brain, showing the principal noradrenergic pathways.

Adapted with permission from Moret C. Understanding neurotransmission in the brain.

Available from: http://www.psy-world.com/unt_noradr.htm.

Table 1 Neuronal projections to different brain “centers”

Emotional centers

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the hypothalamus

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex

5-HT projections from the midbrain raphe to the hypothalamus

5-HT projections from the midbrain raphe to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex

DA projections from the ventral tegmentum to the nucleus accumbens

Somatic centers

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the hypothalamus

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the cerebellum

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the spinal cord

5-HT projections from the midbrain raphe to the hypothalamus

5-HT projections from the midbrain raphe to the striatum

5-HT projections from the midbrain raphe to the spinal cord

DA projections from the substantia nigra to the striatum

Cognitive centers

NE projections from the locus coeruleus to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

DA projections from the ventral tegmentum to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Histamine projections from the hypothalamus to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Source: Summarized from references ^23–26.

Abbreviations: 5-HT, serotonin; DA, dopamine; NE, norepinephrine.

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