A Review on Role of Neurotransmitters in Psychiatric Disorders: Pharmacological Interventions.

Abstract

Neurotransmitters are essential biochemical mediators that regulate the central nervous system’s function, influencing cognition, emotion, and behavior. Psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are closely associated with dysregulation of key neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and acetylcholine. This comprehensive review explores the neurobiological roles of these neurotransmitters, highlighting their mechanistic involvement in psychiatric pathophysiology and the pharmacological interventions used to correct these imbalances.

The review begins by detailing the physiological and pathological significance of neurotransmitters, followed by in-depth analyses of pharmacotherapies, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and novel agents like ketamine and psychedelics. Further, it examines treatment resistance, delayed onset of action, and adverse effect profiles associated with monotherapy. Recent advances such as neuroplasticity-enhancing agents, pharmacogenomics, neuromodulation (e.g., rTMS, DBS), and gut-brain axis interventions are also discussed.

The review emphasizes the growing necessity for integrated and personalized treatment strategies that combine pharmacological, psychological, lifestyle, and digital interventions. It concludes by proposing a roadmap for future psychiatric care—grounded in neuroscience, data-driven precision medicine, and holistic patient-centered approaches. This article serves as a critical resource for clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers aiming to advance pharmacological psychiatry toward more effective, individualized, and ethically sound treatment paradigms.

Keywords: Psychiatric disorders; neurotransmitters; serotonin; dopamine; GABA; glutamate; antipsychotics; antidepressants; pharmacological interventions; treatment resistance; neuroplasticity; pharmacogenomics; neuromodulation; integrative psychiatry; personalized medicine.