Posted by linkadge on September 23, 2009, at 6:53:41
In reply to depression + executive function, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 23, 2009, at 6:08:10
Depression can be associated with both hypo and hyper prefrontal cortex activitiy.
Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression and both psychomotor agitation and retardation can be smypoms of depression.
In one of the studies phillipa posted above, response to citalopram an SSRI, was associated with early activation of the prefrontal cortex.
So, even though SSRI's don't typically induce dopamine release there, there appeared to be an indirect effect.
Inability to process emotions (flat affect) could be due to hyper or hypoactive limbic function as well.
Sometimes when you tickle deeper brain regions and the brain likes it, it starts to perk up then this starts a chain reaction to other regions like the PFC.
What does a strong cup of coffee do for you - anything? SSRI's can be effective for a broad range of depression symtpoms -so they're worth a try regardless of the purported mechanism.
If this does't work, drugs with a different mechanism are worth a try.
While I experience many of the same symptoms as you, parnate made my depression much worse. It made my mood very dark and serious.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:918139
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090921/msgs/918140.html