Posted by ed_uk on April 11, 2005, at 13:04:56
In reply to Antidepressants affect serotonin in 2 distinctways, posted by jrbecker on April 11, 2005, at 8:45:00
Hi,
>The data clearly indicate that, at least under some conditions, both major classes of antidepressants cause serotonin to act as false transmitter in dopamine neurons. It is not yet known if such serotonin release by dopamine neurons contributes to the therapeutic effect of these agents, and it would be very interesting to know whether inhibition of DAT blocks the antidepressant effects of SSRIs.
I honestly doubt that serotonin release by dopamine neurons contributes to the antidepressant efficacy of the SSRIs, it might be expected to decrease it.
>........the possibility that serotonin might be able both to accumulate in the synaptic vesicles of dopamine neurons and to inhibit the packaging of dopamine.
So.... in the presense of an SSRI, less dopamine might be released. Perhaps these findings could explain why SSRIs sometimes cause apathy and amotivation. This 'anti-dopamine' activity doesn't sound all that great to me! I would expect the antidepressant effect of SSRIs to be increased (not blocked) by inhibiting DAT.
Regards,
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:482702
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/482828.html