Posted by freedom2001 on June 26, 2002, at 23:31:28
Does this help to explain the function of Tianeptine?
As we noted above, the relationship between serotonin and anxiety appears to be quite complex. For example, anxiety can be relieved both by agents that interfere with serotonergic function (eg, benzodiazepines) as well by agents that enhance serotonergic function (eg, 5-HTP and SSRIs). In addition, treatment with 5-HTP and SSRIs has sometimes been reported to result in an aggravation of anxiety (or depression) during the first week or two of therapy before clinical improvement occurs.
Scientists have not yet pinned down the reason for these paradoxical responses. The hypothesis that has the most support at the present time suggests that reducing serotonergic activity generally lowers anxiety. In people with anxiety disorders, serotonin receptors become hypersensitive. In other words, they overreact to a burst of serotonin molecules that would normally not increase anxiety. Thus, when a person with an anxiety disorder takes 5-HTP or an SSRI, the extra serotonin produced initially overstimulates these hypersensitive receptors and may lead to an aggravation of the anxiety. With continued stimulation, though, these receptors eventually become less sensitive -- a process known as downregulation -- and anxiety levels eventually decline.
poster:freedom2001
thread:110888
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110888.html