Posted by danf on October 28, 2000, at 22:52:16
In reply to Re: Qs for CamW, posted by AndrewB on October 28, 2000, at 21:55:33
not cam but will add something about neurons & transmitters.
Depression appears to be an abnormal neurological pattern. It is not just a low level of serotonin receptor sensitivity. the system is more complex than that.
however just using neurosynaptic theory as a basis, one has the choices of:
decreased transmitter ( decreased release )
decreased total transmitter available for release
decreased # of transmitter receptors
some blockage of available transmitter receptors by other chemicals
a too rapid uptake of released transmitter
some abnormality of transmitter receptors so normal levels of transmitter are less effectiveAn effective med could work on any of these areas, however, the brain has an autoregulation that tends to compensate for any changes & go back to it's prior level of function. This applies to any neurotransmitter.
Effective meds tend to maintain changes over a period of time.
There are also excitatory & inhibitory nerve pathways that make the nerve ending more or less sensitive to any or to only some transmitters.
Ion levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Po, & others also play a role in membrane nerve /sensitivity.
To make this even more complex, there are millions of nerve pathways.
poster:danf
thread:47596
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001022/msgs/47670.html