[Monoamine research--a productive field of particular importance in neuroscience]

Modern monoamine research had its origin in work done in the 1950s and 1960s to elucidate the modes of action of the major groups of psychotropic drugs, since when it has played a spearhead role in neuroscience. For example, it has contributed much to the introduction of the chemical neurotransmission concept in CNS-research. We are now about to reap the harvest of more than three decades of intensive and successful basic research, in the form of more efficacious and safer drugs for the treatment of certain important mental and neurological disorders, and the formulation of research strategies focused on prophylaxis. The paper reviews this development.