Many drugs that combat depression work by ________.

A) blocking dopamine receptors in the brain
B) reducing the reuptake of serotonin in the brain
C) increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain
D) inhibiting the function of the medulla and the pons

Many drugs that combat depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), work by reducing the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. This leads to increased levels of serotonin in synapses, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression. Blocking dopamine receptors (A) or inhibiting the function of the medulla and the pons (D) are not typically used as treatments for depression. While acetylcholine has been implicated in mood regulation, increasing its levels in the brain (C) is not a commonly used strategy for treating depression.