Posted by OldSchool on January 9, 2002, at 13:51:48
In reply to Newsweek Article - new drugs, posted by Bill L on January 8, 2002, at 14:56:16
> The recent special double issue of Newsweek has an interesting article on new antidepressants being tested. The magazine is not dated. It has a graphic of September 11 on the cover. The researchers anticipate that the new drugs may eventually replace the SSRI's and other current drugs.
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> The new drugs block cortisol. Cortisol is thought to cause shrinkage of a part of the brain known as the hippocampus. (I used to think that was a college for hippos). Autopsies show diminished hippocampuses (or is it hippocampi?) in depressed people. The idea is that the cortisol blocking drug will work better than current drugs with less side effects.
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> There are other drugs that could more directly prevent shrinkage of the neurons in the brain but these drugs taken orally cannot be absorbed. Also, even if injected, they cannot cross the blood brain barrier. The corisol blocking drug however can be taken orally.
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> This new drug caused less depression in rats. If you read the article it goes into detail of how one measures depression in rats. Apparently depressed rats drown more easily than happy rats.These cortisol blocking drugs are called CRF-Antagonists. Frankly Im not that excited about CRF-Antagonists. I expect we will see these drugs marketed along with the much hyped substance P antidepressants about the time that the SSRIs all lose their patents and become available generic.
Id be much more excited to see this new selegiline MAOI patch become FDA approved. I think that would be a much more successful antidepressant, particularly if the patch allows you to skip the MAOI diet as the claim is being made. Id like to see more dopaminergic antidepressants developed and marketed.
All currently available antidepressants already have an indirect effect on the hippocampus, particularly if the ADs work well. Any successful antidepressant prevents further atrophy of the hippocampus.
poster:OldSchool
thread:89332
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/89451.html