Posted by Questionmark on May 28, 2004, at 17:40:59
In reply to question for chemist (or other knowledgables), posted by linkadge on May 25, 2004, at 10:23:02
> I keep reading that ginkgo biloba may help depression becase it increases the number of
> 5-ht1a receptors that decline with aging.
>
> I though that antidepressants worked by downregulating the number of 5-ht1a receptors.
>
> Are more 5-ht1a receptors better? or is this another presynaptic-postsynaptic issue.
>
> Can someone clarify ??
>
> Linkadge
i never read or heard that-- that's neat.
But yeah, i think it's "another presynaptic-postsynaptic issue." There are both pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors-- i'm almost positive at least. So generally, if one needs increased serotonin transmission, one would want upregulation of the postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors and downregulation of the presynaptic ones-- because the presynaptic ones are autoreceptors, and stimulation of these decreases release of serotonin.
poster:Questionmark
thread:350418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/351635.html