Posted by Cam W. on January 29, 2000, at 23:21:19
In reply to Re: What is an autoreceptor?, posted by Sam on January 29, 2000, at 23:12:16
> Blocking or antagonizing either the autoreceptor or the reuptake site would have the same effect then. One would interfer with a negative feedback control mechanism and the other would block the active transport out of the synaptic cleft. Both increasing concentrations in the synaptic cleft.
Sam - Exactly! But to confuse you further, although the increase of serotonin (&/or norepinephrine) may be a part of the relief of depression, this may only be a small part, or even just artifact. The signal across the cleft is improved, but antidepressant effects on glucocorticoids or the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-arenal) may be more important for a sustained antidepressant effect. This may explain why SSRIs and Wellbutrin, with seemingly opposite effects, both improve the symptoms of depression. These are fairly new theories (within the last couple of years) but they are intriguing. Hope this helps. - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:19944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20048.html