Final answer:
Autoreceptor antagonists like mirtazapine work by blocking autoreceptors, increasing the activity of neurotransmitters and potentially alleviating depression symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autoreceptor antagonists, such as mirtazapine, are a type of medication that work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters. These drugs typically act by blocking the autoreceptors on a presynaptic neuron, which are normally involved in regulating the amount of neurotransmitter that is released. In the case of mirtazapine, it is commonly used as an antidepressant that increases the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, helping to improve mood. By blocking these receptors, autoreceptor antagonists prevent the feedback mechanism that would normally decrease neurotransmitter release, thus leading to an increase in the activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft. This is why mirtazapine can help alleviate symptoms of depression.