Posted by AndrewB on February 8, 2001, at 0:58:04
In reply to Dopamine Agonists, posted by JackD on February 7, 2001, at 19:03:24
> Are there any dopamine agonists or stimulants that do not excacerbate anxiety? I've heard Provigil is a pretty "gentle" stimulant. What about Mirapex? What is the neurochemistry behind dopamine and anxiety (what areas of the brain and what dopamine receptors are linked to anxiety)? Thanks guys.
Jack,
If you have had anxiety problems with amphetamines you may wish to try provigil or adrafinil for arousal.
Mirapex is not known to produce anxiety. In may decrease anxiety in many but I'm still trying to get a read on that. For many it can have an arousing effect.
All dopamine based stimualnts can cause anxiety in some people at some time. Obviously some people are able to take away the anxiety that can be produced by drugs like adderall and selegiline by adding on another med such as sulpiride, amisulpride (both D2/D3 limbic region antagonists)or drugs like klonopin or gabapentin or certain serotenergic agents.
Why do some dopaminergics cause anxiety and other do no not?
My impression it that possibly repeated stimulation of the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) by certain dopaminergics (such as a stimulants) tends to create sensitization of the dopamine neurons there and when this occurs kindling or eleptogenisis occurs in the amygdala (this is seizue like activity which tend to reinforce itself with each repeated event, in other words, the more often this seizure like activity is induced, the more likely it is to repeat itself). Pathways connect the VTA to the amygdala. Activation of the amygydala produces fear and anxiety. Intervention by agents that prevent sensitization of VTA nuerons hold promise in halting this chain of events and the resultant fear. I am looking into medical interventions in this area now and hopefully will have something good to report in the near future.
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:53473
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53491.html