Posted by JohnX on October 23, 2001, at 19:20:50
In reply to Re: Nierenberg - Clonidine for bipolar depression? » JohnX, posted by Mitch on October 23, 2001, at 12:43:15
Heres what happens with things like Remeron,
in case you are interested. The alpha-2 antagonism
increases firing in an area of the brain predominately
associated with (nor)adrenaline and the flight,or,
fight mechanism. These nerve impulses actually
propogate to serotonin neurons and increasing
the firing rate of some serotonin neurons.
The Remeron has a property that blocks a particular
type of sertonin receptor (the 5ht-2 series), generally
associated with anxiety. The increased serotonin
firing hits the other receptors and a balance is
supposed to be achieved that reduces anxiety in the
net. But the two areas of the brain , the one with
the noradrenaline, and the one with serotonin projections
can reactly very differently amongst different people.
In particular people with stress disorders will probably
be hyperactive on the noradrenergic path and may
experience anxiety on remeron.Interestingly, Buspar attempts
to decrease the firing rate of those serotonin neurons
to decrease anxiety, but one of its side metabolites
is an alpha-2 antagonist. I think this could kill
some of its anti-anxiety potential, but at higher
doses for some people the alpha-2 antagonism is
actually an anti-depressant (probably for people
who aren't generally anxious too).-john
> > Scott,
> >
> > One thing is curious.
> > Bupropion is thought to inhibit firing of neurons
> > in the primary area affected by the alpha-2 receptors.
> > Remeron's alpha-2 antagonism increases firing.
> >
> > -john
>
>
> John, thanks for that info! That is VERY peculiar, because I get God-awful irritability on any meds that antagonize alpha-2 receptors. Strangely, when I am on Wellbutrin I am a little edgy and nauseous, BUT I never noticed any irritability or hypomania...
>
> Mitch
poster:JohnX
thread:81697
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/82108.html