Posted by Cam W. on May 14, 2000, at 11:43:12
In reply to Re: wellbutrin, posted by Andre Allard on May 14, 2000, at 1:39:06
> Hey Samantha, just ignore us. Cam, a panel of 11 experts were convened for a conference to discuss wellbutrin's mechanism of antidepressant activity. They concluded that wellbutrin's mechanism of action appears to have an unusual, not fully understood, noradrenergic link. The wellbutrin metabolite hydroxybupropion probably plays a critical role in the antidepressant activity, which appears to be predominantly associated with long term noradrenergic effects. The mild central nervous system activating effects of wellbutrin appear to be due to weak dopaminergic mechanisms. There is some evidence that dopamine may contribute to wellbutrin's antidepressant properties. Antidepressant effects of wellbutrin are not serotonergically mediated. I am glad to hear that wellbutrin (no matter what it's mechanism is) is working for you.
Andre - Thanks for the info. I too, think that norepinephrine is involved in bupropion MOA, but not norepinephrine reuptake blockade. There is a definite action on noradrenergic neurons in the locus ceruleus, but it may be direct (agonist activity) rather than indirect (reuptake blockade).
Also, another thing I have noticed in the hospital studies of reboxetine, here in Canada, that responders to reboxetine had had some response to bupropion.
Didn't they try hydroxybupropion in animal models (tail-pinch studies) and found little activity? I know it is a long way (in some instances) from animals to humans; especially when extrapolating something as subjective as depressive symptoms. I believe these extrapolations have slowed science in many instances.
Thanks again for the input. Are the consensus group's results published anywhere? - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:33345
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000508/msgs/33420.html