Elucidating and unravelling the novel antidepressant mechanism of action for atypical antipsychotics: repurposing the atypical antipsychotics for more comprehensive therapeutic usage

Abstract

Abstract Background There has been a paucity of research reports on the obscured antidepressant mechanism of action for the atypical antipsychotics. Purpose This study was designed to elucidate and unravel the novel antidepressant mechanism of action for atypical antipsychotics. Data Sources and Materials During the course of this study, original peer-reviewed articles reported in English language that investigated atypical antipsychotics were identified by exploring the Medline-Entrez-PubMed search, Web of Science database, Google Scholar search, and Science Direct database online facilities. Information was also sourced from printed textbooks and the reports documented by some recognized medically inclined and health professional bodies. These published materials containing documented reports relating to the subject matter of focus in this review article were accessed and adequately referenced. This study spanned for 8-month duration from March 2023 to November 2023. Study Selection and Manuscript Preparation with Limitations A total number of 117 published articles were reviewed, out of which 60 referenced articles were found to contain information pertinent to this study, while those parts of the referenced articles inapt to this study were neglected. Based on the pharmacological mechanism of action, the atypical antipsychotic agents can be broadly classified into two major subclasses, namely: regular and irregular atypical antipsychotics. Conclusion This review will proclaim and repurpose the atypical antipsychotics pharmacological properties for more comprehensive therapeutic usage as a new generation class of antidepressants that has brought forth substantial improvement and positive outcomes to the management of patients with depressive disorders in clinical practice.