Posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 19, 2000, at 22:42:03
In reply to Re: Serotonin and dopamine opposition - Railroaded, posted by Cam W. on April 19, 2000, at 21:59:13
Wow!
This was great!
Now I have to read it a few more times just to understand what it is I don't understand.
Thanks Cam!
More homework.
:-)
One thing, though.> > Be careful generalizing from results of studies in persons with abnormal brain chemistry like schizophrenia. (Does a non-schizophrenic brain act like a schizophrenic brain? In schizophrenia, some dopamine circuits are hyperactive, some hypoactive.)
>
> Excellent.> In someone with schizophrenia there is a aberation in the number of dopamine receptors (too many due to a lack of synaptic pruning) or a problem with too much dopamine (perhaps resulting from the extra synapses). The basic biochemistry at the neuron works the same as in anybody. - Cam
Perhaps the point that Zeke was trying to make (not sure) is that the net response of a less-than-perfect brain to chemical challenges is different from that of a closer-to-perfect brain. One example might be that the behavioral effects of stimulants given to children with ADD or AD/HD differ from those seen in healthy children. If one were to experiment with stimulants only with AD/HD children, one might conclude that noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons are responsible for sedation.
> Also, with serotonin receptors on dopaminergic neurons; GABA receptors basically on all neurons; alpha-adrenergic receptors on serotonin receptors; ad nauseum; plus the fact that there are several subtypes of receptors, some that can bind more than one neurotransmitter, makes understanding this system pure hell. I pity the poor grad student who wants to tackle this, but would definitely like to read his/her thesis.
Yeah. It's a hell of a mess. A wonderful mess. I just wish that I could read well enough to enjoy it. (I complain too much)
- Scott
poster:Scott L. Schofield
thread:29285
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30633.html