Psychotropic drugs and the involvement of the Akt/GSK3 signalling pathway in mental illnesses

Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorders, ADHD, depression and schizophrenia are a major public health concern worldwide. While several pharmacological agents acting on monoamine neurotransmission are used for the management of these disorders, the ultimate molecular mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic effects and their relationships to disease etiology are still poorly understood. Here we provide an overview of recent advances on the involvement of the signaling molecules Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) in the regulation of behavior by the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin (5-HT). We also examine the possible participation of these signaling molecules to the effects of antipsychotics, antidepressant and lithium and their contribution to mental disorders. Regulation of Akt and GSK3 by monoamine neurotransmitters may provide a better understanding of mental illnesses leading to new therapeutic approaches having better efficacy.