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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
Does anyone know how levels of one neurotransmitter affect others? For instance, do high adrenaline/noradrenaline or dopamine lower serotonin levels? Anyone know of a website with some kind of explanation?
Thanks,
Kari.
Posted by Marathon Man on January 29, 2003, at 11:49:58
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
I've found that the more I have learned about what is known of neurotransmitter function, all indications are that a thousand times is unknown.
I have come to the realization that our treatments are very crude. It would be so nice to know what our deficiency is and treat it accordingly. The state of the "Science" just is far from there yet. I find testimonials from others with similar symptoms and reactions of various treatments to give me direction. I could'nt be more certain that my particular problem is an endocrine imbalance but have found trying to seek treatment in that area comes to a dead end once hypothyroid is ruled out. The eventual understanding of the immense endocrine system will bring relief for many of us. Who knows when that will happen.
Posted by djmmm on January 29, 2003, at 12:07:53
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
This may help...
http://www.benbest.com/science/anatmind/anatmd10.html
Posted by Bill L on January 29, 2003, at 12:42:14
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
Marathon Man is exactly right. The role of neurotransmitters, how they are affected by antidepressants, and how the effect alters symptoms of depression are not yet well understood. There are in fact very good, safe and effective antidepressants on the market, but their utility was established by trial and error. Same goes for other drugs such as aspirin.
Posted by Caleb462 on January 29, 2003, at 13:57:10
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
> Does anyone know how levels of one neurotransmitter affect others? For instance, do high adrenaline/noradrenaline or dopamine lower serotonin levels? Anyone know of a website with some kind of explanation?
> Thanks,
> Kari.
It depends... and much is unknown like the others have said. Terms like "low serotonin levels" or "high dopamine levels" aren't very good terms at all. It's simply the terms used to explain mental illness to the layman. But it's much more complicated than that.But for your question... yes, high activity of one neurotransmitter *can* affect the activity of another. For instance, activation of the 5-HT2c receptor by serotonin inhibits the release of dopamine.
Posted by noa on January 29, 2003, at 19:45:34
In reply to Re: question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Caleb462 on January 29, 2003, at 13:57:10
Caleb, is it known whether this inhibition of dopamine affects dopamine in the entire brain, or in particular regions?
Can this inhibition of dopamine cause less than optimal functioning of the prefrontal cortex in attention and executive functioning, working memory, etc.?
Thanks.
Posted by noa on January 29, 2003, at 19:46:40
In reply to Re: question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Caleb462 on January 29, 2003, at 13:57:10
Also-in motivation and initiative?
Posted by Caleb462 on January 29, 2003, at 23:44:17
In reply to Re: question regarding neurotransmitters PS » Caleb462, posted by noa on January 29, 2003, at 19:46:40
From the reading of done, 5-HT2c (and 5-HT2b, for that matter) activation results in inhibition of dopamine release in the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine systems. So yes, definitely this inhibition can have an effect an prefrontal cortex functions, motivation, initiative, reward, etc. Indeed, excess 5-HT2c activation could be a large cause of SSRI-induced apathy, anhedonia, fatigue, sexual dysfunction (though I believe that has a lot to do with 5-HT2a also), etc.
Posted by noa on January 30, 2003, at 5:14:00
In reply to Re: question regarding neurotransmitters PS noa, posted by Caleb462 on January 29, 2003, at 23:44:17
Thanks. I do take Serzone, which apparently does some blocking of the 5HT2a receptors, I think.
I have been wondering about apathy and inertia due to Effexor. However, for me, it is dependent on external factors, too. At work, for instance, where there is a lot of structure, I don't have these problems. But at home, I do. I come home after work and am mentally exhausted. And on weekends, I feel very little motivation to get out and do anything. I feel like I'd want to get out and do something, but am inert and lack the initiative to make plans and get dressed, etc. I am not especially depressed at those times, though staying in all weekend usually causes me to feel more depressed by the end of the day/weekend.
Can you point me in the direction of some literature about this phenomenon of serotonin induced apathy?
Thanks.
Posted by Kari on January 30, 2003, at 14:07:39
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
Posted by Shawn. T. on January 30, 2003, at 23:10:38
In reply to question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Kari on January 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
I personally find that the amount of information available on topics like this one is plentiful, so long as you use PubMed rather than any other source to search for it. Increased serotonin turnover is generally associated with increased dopamine turnover. 5-HT2A receptors are probably the most important cause of this correlation. I don't believe that any reliable relationship has been shown to exist between overall noradrenaline and serotonin turnover. You do need to remember that different neurotransmitters can affect the levels of one another in various ways depending on the brain regions involved. For example, serotonin can increase or decrease dopamine levels in a certain region of the brain depending on the receptors involved; 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT3 receptors have all been shown to affect dopamine release in different brain areas.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2413327&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2430098&dopt=Abstract
Shawn
Posted by Kari on February 1, 2003, at 13:38:56
In reply to Re: question regarding neurotransmitters, posted by Shawn. T. on January 30, 2003, at 23:10:38
This is the end of the thread.
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