Posted by scott-d-o on February 12, 2004, at 23:25:44
In reply to Re: Buspar mechanism of action, posted by chess on February 12, 2004, at 22:43:24
> I've read that Buspar actually reduces anxiety because it eventually desensitizes the 5ht1a receptor over a period of time of activating it, and this desensitization ends up promoting serotonin release which then over time down-regulates the 5ht2a receptor and thus reduces anxiety.
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> Does that sound correct?
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> Or is Linkadge correct that Buspar basically reduces anxiety because it activates the 5ht1a receptor which decreaes serotonin release which thus reduces serotonin available at the 2a receptor?my advice is just to take the med and see if it works for you instead of trying to figure all of this out. really there is even more to it than you are considering.
However, i will attempt to explain the best I can. it's a full agonist at 5-HT1a autoreceptors and a partial agonist at postsynaptic 5-HT1a receptors. Meaning it can attenuate or potentiate serotonin transmission dependant mostly on extracellular serotonin levels.
buspirone most closely resembles atypical antipsychotics, which can also be anxiolytic at low doses. i think it's anti-anxiety affect is primarily due to dopamine release caused indirectly by 5-HT1a agonism, and antagonism of D2 autoreceptors, also causing dopamine release. this is only my theory however and I don't think anyone could tell you the true answer with any great deal of certainty.
scott
poster:scott-d-o
thread:312027
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/312670.html