Posted by floatingbridge on February 6, 2010, at 16:49:18 [reposted on February 22, 2010, at 1:20:57 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Dopamine not the magic answer folks, posted by linkadge on February 6, 2010, at 10:26:44
Hi Link, this is a good discussion.
> I don't know where this whole idea of dopamine being the magic cure comes from. So many people come on this board and say "I've got a dopamine problem because I have yadi-yada symptoms".
I don't know enough to have come up with the term 'dopamine responder' on my own. I was told this by two separate doctors who came to their conclusions without my knowledge of dopamine.
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> Fist off, there are virtually no AD's that target dopamine. Wellbutrin (contrary to popular belief) has only very weak effects on the dopamine transporter.This is what I've been told; it has also been in accord with my treatment experience. I did not respond to wellbutrin.
> Mirapex is also not a miracle antidepressant.
>The doctors I spoke of said as much--that it was a long-shot adjunct. Therapeutic dosages often create intolerable side-effects.
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> You can block the behavioral depressant effects of accumbal dopamine by administering anti-psychotics. This is why anti-psychotics probably have a better record of being adjuncts for depression than do stimulants.Personally, I tanked on abilify--horribly so. Seroquel, too.
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> D3 receptor activation likely produces the depressant effects as mice lacking the d3 receptor do not respond this way to dopaminergic drugs.
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> Infact mice that have been administered dopamine precursors or dopaminergic drugs behave like they have been defeated in social models of depression. Serotonin on the other hand facilitates social dominance.Okay, the above is way over my head.
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> There is a difference between pleasure and an antidepressant effect. For instance, smoking weed. Sure you get a hit, then you just feel like a looser.
>Ummmm. I'm not sure I understand you here. I was told that some respond best to dopamine agonists--stimulants, maoi's. What do I know--these were a psych and a psych/pharamacologist. Everyone has their opinion and interpretation of data. Meanwhile, I respond to stimulants so far--kinda' scares the cr*p out of me, to be honest. I wouldn't have come up with this on my own, that's for sure. I'd love another course of treatment....
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poster:floatingbridge
thread:937616
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20091104/msgs/937620.html