Posted by JohnX2 on March 17, 2002, at 19:46:19
In reply to dopamine depletion and Zyprexa, posted by Denise528 on March 17, 2002, at 8:49:35
Denise,Zyprexa antagonizes (blocks) serotonin receptors that inhibit dopamine release. There are a number of classes of serotonin receptors 5ht-1,5ht-2,5ht-3,etc....
Some of these receptors are known to gate dopamine release in many areas of the brain. Particularly the 5ht-2 variety. So when the SSRI medicines increase serotonin and hit those 5ht-2 receptors with more force, the medicine may reduce dopamine in some areas of the brain. If we can have some medicine that blocks those particular receptors (it just sits on the receptor blocking serotonin and doesn't activate it), then this will increase dopamine release in those areas of the brain.
A more ideal anti-depressant may combine the SSRI quality with the specific serotonin receptor blocking quality in the AP like Zyprexa.Zyprexa also blocks dopamine receptors, so it sort of is a balancing act depending on what part of the brain the medicine is working at.
John
> Hello,
>
> If this is the case and SSRIs poop out because of dopamine depletion then can someone please explain why Zyprexa seems to be the only drug which is helping me. I thought Zyprexa depleted dopamine even more. Can someone explain please?
>
> Denise
poster:JohnX2
thread:97638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98516.html