Posted by linkadge on February 18, 2010, at 21:12:05
In reply to Re: Depression,Pain and Opiates » bulldog2, posted by floatingbridge on February 18, 2010, at 17:00:09
There has been a bit of recent research into the effects of the opiate system in depression.
Many antidepressants have indirect effects on the opioid system. As you probably know, drugs with norepinephrine reuptake capacity (ixel, duloxetine, venlafaxine, TCA's) are often used in pain management. The analgesic effects of NRI's is not shared by the SSRI's. NRI's appear to have some ability to prolong the analgesia of certain opioid compounds.
TCA's have other direct effects on the opioid system. Many of the TCA's have effects on the delta opioid system. Delta opioid agonists have antidepressant effects. Kappa opioid receptors are another opoiod receptor although in this case it is kappa antagonists that have antidepressant effects. Kappa agonists like dynorphin and salvorin have depressant effects, but they appear to have anti-addiction, anticonvulsant and and analgesic effects.
ECT appears to increase the expression of opoid receptors. Exercise increases endorphin levels.
MU opioid receptors have potent antidepresant and analgesic effects, but tollerance is an issue.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:937298
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100216/msgs/937346.html