Fluoxetine (trade name Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used
ID: 300095 • Letter: F
Question
Fluoxetine (trade name Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to
treat clinical depression. Imagine that you have two identical neural synapses, F and
C, each with a “typical” presynaptic neuron that produces serotonin as a
neurotransmitter. Both F and C have identical synaptic clefts and identical “typical”
postsynaptic neurons. The only difference is that neural synapse F has been treated
with fluoxetine while synapse C has not. You stimulate both presynaptic neurons to
produce a single action potential. How would the response of the postsynaptic
neuron differ in F and in C? Clearly explain your answer.
Explanation / Answer
Answer:
Fluoxetine is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which means its treatment would not terminate its action. Therefore postsynaptic neuron of nerve F, which was treated with Fluoxetine would continue to remain excited, on the other hand, the transmission in the postsynaptic neuron of neuron C would terminate.