Posted by SLS on June 24, 2005, at 7:10:44
In reply to Side effects and therapeutic effects, posted by FredPotter on June 23, 2005, at 23:10:30
> I'm often told, and I often read here, "Oh that side effect will wear off in a little while". How does the brain know the difference between a side effect and an intended, therapeutic effect? Surely the therapeutic action of some drugs is the result of some chance observation. I don't believe brain drugs are as targeted as some people think.
>
> One might regard the main effect of Prozac as sexual dysfunction and the anti-depressant effect as a side effect (it might be considered a treatment for rapists). Is poop-out a "side-effect" wearing off?
> Fred
Great observation! Interesting change of perspective.Great thought-provoker.
I think some receptors are downregulated while others are not. It might be that those that are coupled with G-proteins change in sensitivity more robustly than non G-protein receptors. It is these same receptors that influence most the genetic machinery of the cell and are most responsible for creating an action potential.
The antidepressant response, the thing that takes weeks to develop, is the result of a CHANGE in receptor sensitivity while the side effects are the result of a continued stimulation of receptors that do not change (or change as much).
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:517833
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050622/msgs/517920.html