Posted by Cam W. on January 5, 2001, at 10:22:38
In reply to Re: Cam...what say you., posted by JohnL on January 5, 2001, at 3:43:05
John - There is merit in what you say about early responders. We agree that depression (as with most, if not all psychiatric disorders) is a very heterogeneous set of neuronal dysregulations. Depending on the biochemical breakdown, some instances a drug may work from the start. To me, this would indicate that compensatory mechanisms (eg. changes in concentrations of neurotransmitters and receptors) had not occurred, which theoretically, is entirely possible.
I still believe that in the vast majority of depressions, compensatory neurochemical alterations do occur, so Dr.Jensen's method of many rapidfire drug trials would not have universal applicability. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Some of the studies that I have been reading lately have been facinating. In one, these researchers have shown that although there may be a genetic mutation in a key protein, the protein that is formed is identical to that made by a non-mutated gene. What this means is that epigenetic factors may be at work. Could the protein's release factors be changed? Could specific transporter mechanisms be altered? The area or genetics in psychiatry is just starting to open up. What about "junk" DNA? Does the body really have DNA that does nothing? I sincerely doubt it.
Anyway, I better get back to work before someone catches me playing here. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:50902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50961.html