Posted by linkadge on November 20, 2007, at 23:37:03
In reply to Re: bupropion compared to NRI's » Astounder, posted by anonymoose on November 20, 2007, at 22:26:28
>Would a dopamine agonist (e.g. Mirapex) also >cause this postsynaptic downregulation?
Probably to some degree, just as neuroleptics DA antagonists cause a degree of upregulation.
>Which would cause more DAT downregulation, MAO-B >inhibition (e.g. deprenyl) or D3 agonism (e.g. >Mirapex)?
MAO-B inhibition would likely cause DAT upregulation. Ie more dopamine transporter would be produced to compensate for decreases metabolsim via MAO-B. I don't think direct agonists like mirapex affect the transporter either way, but I could be wrong. It may depend on dopamine release in that case.
>and ever-worsening dysthymia/anhedonia/apathy... >am I right in thinking this is a dopaminergic >problem?
Possibly. The best remedy in your case would probably be a minimization of stimulant use, coupled with stress reduction and a high protein diet. You could pop some sort of dopamine mimicking drug, or mess with metabolism but the system will work a lot better if you have the dopamine stores to make it work.
Dopamine by itself isn't the magic pleasure chemical. It interacts with opiates, serotonin, norepinephrine etc. Stress can throw the whole thing out of whack, as can excessive drug use.
Start from the bottom up. Build a strong base with stress reduction, good nutrition and drug minimization, then use drugs as necessary to go from there.
I know I am not astounder, sorry for replying. If he wants to reply too that's cool.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:794699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071115/msgs/796260.html