Posted by temoigneur on December 19, 2005, at 1:26:54
Is Aripirazole truly effective in regulating dopamine dysfunction in schizophrenia/affective, for some? I would think it was a wonder drug, but I haven't personally read any phenominal testimonies. Does it do what this article says for anyone?
http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005085.html
"Aripiprazole works by acting on various receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a natural compound called a neurotransmitter, and is involved in transmitting messages between brain cells. Psychotic illness is considered to be caused by disturbances in the activity of dopamine in the brain. Aripiprazole works mainly by stabilising the dopamine activity in the brain.Schizophrenic patients may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, delusions and hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social isolation).
The positive symptoms are thought to be due to overactivity of dopamine in certain areas of the brain. Aripiprazole blocks the dopamine receptors in these areas and so prevents the overactivity. This helps control the positive symptoms of the disease.
The negative symptoms, as well as cognitive symptoms such as memory loss and poor attention, are considered to be due to underactivity of dopamine in other areas of the brain. In these areas, aripiprazole stimulates the dopamine receptors. This mimics the activity of dopamine in these areas of the brain and so improves their activity. This helps relieve the negative and cognitive symptoms.
Aripiprazole may be less likely to cause the usual side effects of antipsychotic medicines, such as Parkinson-like symptoms and raised levels of the hormone prolactin. These side effects happen because the older antipsychotics decrease dopamine activity throughout the brain. However, aripiprazole blocks dopamine activity in areas where it is too high, but increases it in areas where it is too low, and so may avoid these problems."
poster:temoigneur
thread:590296
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/590296.html