spec sheet7 rows
AZD-1134 is an investigational, selective serotonin 5-HT1B receptor antagonist that AstraZeneca researched preclinically as a potential treatment for major depressive and anxiety disorders.
- Sharply increased brain serotonin in animal studies, especially combined with an SSRI
- Showed antidepressant-like effects in animal models
- A related AstraZeneca compound aimed at the same target caused neurotoxicity in animals
Overview
A serotonin-boosting compound that never left the lab; its sister molecule aimed at the same target ran into serious animal toxicity.
Mechanism
AZD-1134 selectively blocks presynaptic 5-HT1B autoreceptors, which normally inhibit further release. By antagonizing these autoreceptors it substantially raises extracellular serotonin, increasing hippocampal serotonin to roughly 179% of baseline alone and up to about 950% of baseline when combined with the citalopram, and produced antidepressant-like effects in animal models on its own.
receptor fingerprint
5-HT1B receptorAntagonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
AZD-1134 did not advance past preclinical research. AstraZeneca's related follow-up compound targeting the same receptor, AZD-3783, was later found to cause neurotoxicity in animals, so the 5-HT1B antagonist mechanism carries an unresolved safety flag even though AZD-1134 itself was never tested in humans.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Never left preclinical work, and the mechanism carries an unresolved flag: AstraZeneca's follow-up compound at the same receptor caused neurotoxicity in animals. Of interest to anyone tracking the 5-HT1B antidepressant story, of no practical use to anyone else.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
1 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is AZD-1134 used for?
It was researched as a potential antidepressant and anti-anxiety treatment, but only in preclinical (animal and lab) studies.
How does AZD-1134 work?
It blocks 5-HT1B autoreceptors that normally limit serotonin release, sharply raising brain serotonin levels.
Is AZD-1134 well-researched?
It has decent animal pharmacology data but was never tested in humans, so it should be considered an early-stage research compound only.
Adverse effects
- A related AstraZeneca compound aimed at the same target caused neurotoxicity in animals
Notes and cautions
- Never tested in humans; stayed at the preclinical stage