Posted by Jason911 on March 3, 2002, at 22:21:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin increases or decreases dopamine?, posted by JohnX2 on March 3, 2002, at 18:04:20
I have read that same article as you John and I have to admit it is a little hard to follow. Anyway, I think the ADHD and dopamine/mice reaction tests are due mainly to increases of NE. I'm not sure, and I probably am wrong but this is what I tend to believe. I believe that it could act on a part of the brain whose method of action mimicks that of dopamine, but I believe that if the problem is dopamine, why can't docs put people on another more well-known dopaminergic drug other than Wellbutrin. I guess there aren't any. All I know is that the bupropion did nothing for my depressed mood or concentration. Adderall did nothing for my concentration. So, I'd have to think that both Wellbutrin and Adderall act similar, somewhat; that they activate the CNS in some people. Me, though? NOTHING. I guess I'm just wierd. Hope the Jumex is the answer for me, I'll know in a couple of weeks. BTW, the Klonopin has been working wonders for me and my anxiety. It seems to have improved my mood a little as well. Still have the concentration probs and a little mental "fogginess." -Jason911 PS - It seems to me that the only medical answer right now for dopamine-related depression, the only answer, is Wellbutrin or stimulants. I don't like that one bit. Remember, AndrewB? Of the meds that helped his depression, 3 are no longer available in the US. What the hell??? And I believe that dopamine is one of the major reasons for depression in people. It's just that the pharmacies are just in their "baby years" in finding cures for depression - what affects mood more powerfully than serotonin? Hardly anything.... but.. dopamine-defecient sufferers are pretty much limited to what we can do. I am hoping the selegiline will be the answer for us.
>
> Look, Wellbutrin is not the most well understood medicine in
> the world , but it is probably the MOST misquoted medicine in
> the world. Without looking at ANY of the clinical data on its
> mode of action, at SOLELY looking at behavioral tests of animal
> models and subsequent follow ups in human trials, there is every
> bit of evidence that Wellbutrin affects the dopamine system in
> responders to the medicine. In the animal models, when they look
> into the dopaminergic system, they often look for behaviours that
> are consistent with the administrations of dopaminergic medicines
> like amphetamines, which Wellbutrin passes the test.
> Also in human trials, Wellbutrin has been shown to be affective
> in disorders such as ADHD which are known to be dysruptions in the
> dopaminergic system. Also many responders to Wellbutrin report getting
> an amphetamine like feeling on the medicine.
>
> Now as far as clinical data. Many people base their opinions of the medicine
> on the parent compound bupropion hcl which has LITTLE IF ANY clinical value
> in the medicine what so ever. Wellbutrin (bupropion hcl) is what is known
> as a pro-drug, its metabolites (the thing the 1st pass of the liver breaks
> it down to, do almost all of the work). So looking strictly at binding assays, concentrations of, etc of bupropion
> hcl is of value, but gives a SERIOUS misconception of what is seriously going on. What has been discovered is that the active metabolites
> primarily hydroxy-bupropion and threohydroxybupropion accumulate at levels in
> the body so potent to make the dopamine reuptake properties substantial.
> It may be true that through some genomic mechanism the release of
> dopamine is diminished, possibly through a feedback mechanism. But this
> is even seen with norepineprine reuptake inhibitors, decreased firing,
> yet more noradrenaline in the synpatic cleft from the reuptake inhibition.
>
> Here is the best article I have read to date with
> a clear and concise summary of research findings
> on Wellbutrin (bupropion hcl) and myths/misconceptions
> regarding its dopaminergic mode of action:
>
> http://www.preskorn.com/columns/0001.html
>
> Best wishes,
> John
>
>
>
>
> > My pdoc has also recommended wellbutrin for my social phobia/apathy. I am also on neurontin for mild anxiety. He thinks I need more dopamine. He says that is why I smoke cigarettes. I read wellbutrin actually decreases the dopamine and that is why it has a low incidence of inducing mania.
> >
> > Does anyone know whether wellbutrin helped with dopamine or not?
> >
> > Jill
poster:Jason911
thread:96141
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96249.html