Posted by Amigan on April 1, 2008, at 1:17:10
In reply to Re: Mechanisms on hypomania?, posted by undopaminergic on March 30, 2008, at 20:42:05
> I'm inclined to think that glutamate is a more direct factor than dopamine, and that changes in dopamine function may be a secondary effect. Stimulant-induced energy, activity and mood elevation at best simulate classic hypomania or manic symptoms, but not the dysphoric or mixed mania or hypomania that is a more relevant complaint in practice. Therefore, it's logical to look at other factors than dopamine elevation; these factors remain largely unknown, but there are some clues: one of them is the fact that mood stabilisers, such as lamotrigine, tend to diminish glutamate release.
I think you are right! I did some search about the treatment of hypomania and found out that mood stabilizers are the first choise, and most meds of this class decrease glutamine.
>(interestingly, dopamine stimulates it).
Perhaps, that's why antipsychotics are also used for this condition? They decrease glutamine, by decreasing dopamine? Possibly..
poster:Amigan
thread:820737
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080204/msgs/820974.html