Posted by JGalt on November 4, 2001, at 10:32:02
In reply to Re: Inhibition of MAO-B Increases GABA » JGalt, posted by pat c. on November 4, 2001, at 8:33:04
What can we extapolate from this? Not much...
Basically this just tells us that MAO-B metabolizes Nardil in such a way that it produces a compound that increases GABA. As MAO-B inhibition helping atypical depression, well for me it seems to be the case that it does (though this article is really just discussing the metabolite from Nardil). Have you tried selegiline? That's a selective MAO-B inhibitor at doses 10mg and below. Combine it with some DL-Phenylaline or N-Acetyl-Tyrosine and it produces a very nice effect (for me). However, your symptoms are somewhat different from mine, as for me, the biggest prob is lack of energy/motivation and hypersomnia/overeating, whereas what i get from your post is that you seem to have the biggest prob with social phobia, so I'm not sure. I would still give it a try though, selegiline cures my minor social phobia provided I don't do something stupid (like take a bunch of caffeine+ephedrine on it).GABA is a major player in social problems, relaxation problems, anxiety problems, and similar.
The article's information doesn't really suggest anything about selegiline, it is only used to prove that MAO-B was responsible for breaking down Nardil into a substance that increased GABA.
Low levels of GABA could cause depression I suppose. Such depression would likely be a burnout type depression, wherein the thought of doing things causes way too much anxiety, leading one to want to just sit around (kinda similar to low serotonin, only with more anxiety symptoms, as opposed to serotonin which I imagine would also involve more lack of feelings towards others symptoms), as opposed to the atypical type which the person just wants to sit around primarily because of lack of motivation or feeling.
As for what you should choose for medication, I can't be of much help there. I'm not familiar with neurontin, but your theory about GABA seeming to be the common denominator between meds does look right.
As usual, a few years ago I would have recommended the previously legal GHB. For many people (inc. myself), it is an incredible drug for anxiety and depression if used correctly (in moderation) without hardly any of the side effects of present meds if used correctly (abuse it and its worse than present meds though). It may be soon (or maybe it already is) available for nacrolepsy under the name Xyrem. Good luck getting a script though and I hope you have real good insurance if you do (its roughly 100 times more expensive than it was OTC a few years ago).
Hoping someone else will chime in on this for you re: easier to get prescription meds that fit your description though.
JGalt
poster:JGalt
thread:83124
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83165.html