Norepinephrine transporter

The norepinephrine transporter or NET is a monoamine transporter that transports the neurotransmitter norepinephrine from the synapse back to its vesicles for storage until later use. It also appears to transport the neurotransmitter dopamine in the same way, but to a lesser degree.

Certain antidepressant medications act to raise norepinephrine, such as the SNRIs and the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). To put it simply, these medications prevent the norepinephrine transporter from doing its job. Norepinephrine therefore hangs around in the synapse longer, allowing it to reach more normal levels. Since the norepinephrine transporter is also thought to transport dopamine to some extent, SNRIs would also raise dopamine levels in the synapse.

Norepinephrine transporter