Question

what's the relation between antiviral drugs of AIDS and SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors? )

Answer 1

SSRI seeks to treat anxiety and depression.

Answer 2

So the question is asking us....."What do SSRI's and AIDS drugs have in common?"

There's one big thing that they have in common:
They both inhibit (which means "prevent") something.

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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors....they inhibit (prevent) serotonin reuptake.

Let me show you this picture:
http://www.humanillnesses.com/images/hdc_0000_0001_0_img0054.jpg

Okay follow along here. I'll try to make it simple.

The FIRST neuron is the YELLOW one, at the top.
The SECOND neuron is the GREEN one, at the bottom.
Those RED DOTS are SEROTONIN.


Okay, so here's what happens, step by step:

1. The FIRST neuron gives out some serotonin.

2. The SECOND neuron takes some of that serotonin.

3. When there's TOO MUCH serotonin...the FIRST neuron takes it back.
****This is called REUPTAKE.****


SSRI's are special drugs that stop reuptake.
They stop the first neuron from taking back its own serotonin.
This causes people with depression to feel better. Less depressed.

Doctors have no idea why it works that way. But it works.

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Okay, now let's talk about AIDS medication.
Remember, they also inhibit something.

When HIV (AIDS virus) gets into our bodies,
it has to turn its RNA into DNA, in order to make us sick.
This is called "reverse transcription."

AIDS antiviral medications inhibit "reverse transcription."
They stop HIV from turning its RNA into DNA.

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So remember, what's the one big thing that SSRI's and AIDS medications have in common?

Again: they both INHIBIT something.

Answer 3

thank u

Answer 4

Noo problem.