Posted by metric on April 14, 2009, at 11:38:24
In reply to Dopamine depletion: A myth?, posted by SLS on April 9, 2009, at 8:10:25
> Yes, I have heard for years that SSRIs cause dopamine depletion, and that this might be responsible for the induction of apathy/amotivation/anhedonia or a loss of therapeutic effect ("poop-out"). However, where is there scientific evidence to support this notion? I would say that chronic SSRI usage might produce a change in the activity of neural pathways afferent to dopaminergic structures and circuits. However, to think that neurons actually run out of neurotransmitter seems unlikely to me. They probably are just not being stimulated to release the dopamine that they keep in storage.
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> What do you think? Is there any scientific evidence that demonstrates that an SSRI can produce dopamine depletion downstream?The term "dopamine depletion" is in this context certainly a lay simplification intended to describe a subjectively hypodopaminergic state characterized by a reduced capacity to experience pleasure, diminished arousal, etc. I agree that it would be more accurate to describe this as a "functional deficiency" of dopamine, which is more encompassing.
poster:metric
thread:889611
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090408/msgs/890642.html