Posted by linkadge on March 9, 2006, at 20:56:24
In reply to Is this the so-called suicide gene?? (nm), posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2006, at 18:23:07
Certain patterns of 5-ht2a expression seem to occur in the brains of suicide victoms. Depressed suicide brains tend to have upregulated 5-ht2a receptors in the frontal cortex. But, antidepressant treatments differentially regualte 5-ht2a expression. For instance, ECT does not downregulate 5-ht2a receptors in the frontal cortex. I read a few studies saying it does the opposite.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even non-serotonergic antidepressants can regulate the expression of 5-ht2 system, like desipramine.
Even melatonin can downregulate 5-ht2a receptors.http://biopsychiatry.com/des5ht2.htm
So I'm not sure that I'd agree with the assumption that 5-ht2 dysregulation was a consequence of "low serotonin"
From what I have read, 5-ht2a upregulation and downregulation seemed to be a marker of the activity of the HPA axis.
I remember reading a report that showed that a certain 5-ht2a receptor gene was associated with a better response to mirtazapine over paxil. I would like to read that study with and this one together to see how they compare.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:617972
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060304/msgs/618110.html