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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jrbecker on November 24, 2002, at 18:39:50
Would CRH agonists (in conjunciton with an AD)work for atypical depressives just as melancholic types might one day benefit from CRH antagonists?
Supposedly the difference between atypical depressives and melancholics is that in atypical depressives, the overproduction of cortisol has finally desensitized the cortisol receptors, making them less responsive. Simulataneously, the high levels of cortisol has a negative feedback effect on the production of Corticotropin-releasing hormone, creating a rapid rise and fall effect in stressful situations. In melancholics, chronic over-stimulation of cortisol has not fully desensitized the cortisol receptors, so stress remains high at all times.
Hopefully CRH agonists are being studied for atypical depression just as CRH antagonists currently are for melancholic types.
Posted by linkadge on November 24, 2002, at 19:08:57
In reply to CRH and atypical depression, posted by jrbecker on November 24, 2002, at 18:39:50
These proposed new drugs may be helpful
in many mental illnesses. Pretty much everything from Schitsophrenia to Bipolar is often triggered by inapropriate responce to stress.
I will be waiting.Has anyone heard that anti-inflamitory agents have a mood imroving effect. I read this in an article, and wondered if anyone here was using them allong with A.D.'s
Linkadge
Posted by Pfinstegg on November 24, 2002, at 23:14:11
In reply to CRH and atypical depression, posted by jrbecker on November 24, 2002, at 18:39:50
My understanding of the cortisol differences in atypical vs. melancholic depression is the same as yours. I think that there are differences in acute vs chronic PTSD also, with the acute form showing very low levels of cortisol response while the chronic type is similiar to melancholic depression.
I'm assuming that once we get medications which can maintain CRH output at a normal level, despite whatever stress might be occurring, that this will benefit atypical depression as well, as they will probably be able to prevent the abnormally large "spike" in CRH-ACTH-cortisol production. If this is prevented, there won't be that low-cortisol, stress-hormone depleted stage which you see in atypical depression.
I don't know very much about the research going on, but the little I have learned makes me so encouraged about future drug treatment for depression. We just have to hang on and wait!
Pfinstegg
Posted by turalizz on November 25, 2002, at 3:28:51
In reply to CRH and atypical depression, posted by jrbecker on November 24, 2002, at 18:39:50
I have atypical depression, and my cortisol as well as ACTH levels are very high (36.1 mcg/dl for CRT, 34.1 pg/ml for ACTH in the morning)
What would be the benefit of increasing my cortisol even higher with CRH agonist?
In the past, I responded well to remeron, which is a cortisol blocker.
cem
> Would CRH agonists (in conjunciton with an AD)work for atypical depressives just as melancholic types might one day benefit from CRH antagonists?
>
> Supposedly the difference between atypical depressives and melancholics is that in atypical depressives, the overproduction of cortisol has finally desensitized the cortisol receptors, making them less responsive. Simulataneously, the high levels of cortisol has a negative feedback effect on the production of Corticotropin-releasing hormone, creating a rapid rise and fall effect in stressful situations. In melancholics, chronic over-stimulation of cortisol has not fully desensitized the cortisol receptors, so stress remains high at all times.
>
> Hopefully CRH agonists are being studied for atypical depression just as CRH antagonists currently are for melancholic types.
>
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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