Posted by phidippus on September 13, 2012, at 22:34:55
In reply to Long term Ritalin use... » linkadge, posted by AlexCanada on September 13, 2012, at 21:31:53
Studies show that certain receptors in the brain respond to dopamine in a previously unknown way that occurs over a period of hours rather than minutes or seconds. In this manner, researchers say the chemical may affect the brain indefinitely.
Receptors are proteins found on the surface of nerve cells that recognize and translate the signals from a chemical messenger to trigger a response by the cell.
In laboratory tests with mice, researchers found prolonged exposure to dopamine through this pathway inactivated a regulatory protein in the brain known as Akt and caused the mice to behave like they were depressed in response to stress.
In addition, inactivation of this protein caused a molecular chain of events that caused the mice to become desensitized to certain drugs.
What damage do you think has been done?
Eric
poster:phidippus
thread:1025108
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120912/msgs/1025613.html