Posted by Cam W. on April 15, 2000, at 17:46:20
In reply to Re: Neurotoxicity - SSRI's may not be so benign..., posted by saint james on April 15, 2000, at 16:48:41
Sean - James is right. The TCAs differ for the amount of binding (blocking) of serotonin reuptake and norepinephrine reuptake. Some TCAs have an affinity for serotonin reuptake much more than norepinephrine reuptake (eg clomipramine) and vice versa (eg desipramine).James was also correct in stating that we has been blocking serotonin reuptake since the 1950s and have had far fewer long term problems than we see with other substances we use (eg alcohol, tobacco, stimulant laxatives, etc.).
The only thing you may be able to blame on the TCAs (and perhaps the MAOIs and even newer antidepressants) is that there seem to be an iatrogenic increase in the number of cases of bipolar disorder since the second World War. I do not know if the link has been proven, but I have heard this hypotheses bandied about at a couple of lectures that I have attended recently. The proof is shaky, at best. - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:29745
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30154.html