Presynaptic inhibitory or facilitatory autoreceptors are targets for the endogenous neurotransmitter of the respective neuron, and also for exogenous agonists, partial agonists and antagonists which can produce pharmacological actions through changes in transmitter release. In addition, presynaptic inhibitory or facilitatory heteroreceptors can also be acted upon by exogenous agonists, partial agonists or antagonists to induce changes in transmitter release with useful therapeutic effects. This article summarizes drugs that are known or likely to produce their therapeutic effects through presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitter release. Included are drugs acting on alpha and beta adrenoceptors, dopamine receptors, angiotensin, opioid, cannabinoid, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also discussed are changes in presynaptic receptor mechanisms produced by drugs that inhibit transmitter re-uptake.
Therapeutic use of release-modifying drugs. Publishing Authors By Initials
