Posted by linkadge on May 14, 2006, at 1:26:14
In reply to Re: Statistical question on SSRIs - ADDENDUM » Squiggles, posted by Squiggles on May 13, 2006, at 19:09:46
I read a few studies suggesting that people with the SS varients of the serotonin transporter may react to fluoxetine or other SSRI's with more anxiety, akathesia, agitation, and insomnia then people with longer varients.
The same thing goes with stimulants. One kid can take ritalin and it calms him down while another can take it and feel very agitated and paranoid.Is it the drug that caused the suicides? Absolutely, in my opinion. In some of these cases, had the drug not been introduced, lives may not have been lost. But, I do think that there may be genetic predispositions to SSRI induced akathesia and suicidal behavior that do not fall under the category of "latent bipolar".
So, perhaps the drug should not be banned completely, but there should be adequate warning that the drug has the potential. There should also be continued investigation into the potential mechanisms.
I've heard of people feeling acutely suicidal after taking antipsychotics. Some antipsychotics will block dopamine reception in the pleasure centres of the brain.
An SSRI too will decrease dopamine release in the neucleus accumbens via agonism at 5-ht2c. So you may have an acute dysphoria, and akathesia, in a perhaps already suicidal person.
Linkadge
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