Posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2001, at 10:43:00
In reply to Re: Can someone interpret this?, posted by grapebubblegum on August 19, 2001, at 21:11:43
GBG & Sherry - Actually, the lack of neurotransmitter is not a cause, but a symptom (or an effect) of depression. If you naturally deplete serotonin (using a tryptophan-free amino acid drink) from a healthy, non-depressed individual, nothing happens. But, if you deplete serotonin from some people who have had depression and are in remission, they will relapse.
There is something going on in away from the serotonin (&/or norepinephrine, dopamine, etc) receptor that is causing this decrease in neurotransmitter. This may be at the level of second messengers &/or genetic transcription within the cell, or may be in a different system from the body's stress mechanism (HPA axis), such as the immune system (involving cytokine concentrations) or at the level of the hippocampus, amygdala, or other related brain structure.
Scientists are beginning to tease apart these systems, so we should have some answers within the next few years. I believe that the monoamine theory of depression is starting to look "dead in the water".
My 2¢ - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:75266
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75663.html