Posted by linkadge on April 18, 2011, at 18:38:14
In reply to question, Re: the only way out » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on April 18, 2011, at 17:33:46
Cortisol (stress?) increases the expression of excitory 5-ht2a receptors and decreases the expression of inhibitory 1a receptors. As a result, there is excessive glutamatergic activity in the cerebral / prefrontal corticies.
5-ht2a blocking AD's will reduce some of the enhanced activity at 5-ht2a receptors. But, it might take some time till the receptors actually decrease in expression.
SSRI's take some time to decrease 5-ht2a expression and in the mean time might make anxiety worse by activating these receptors. Combining with a 5-ht2a blocking agent, might have theraputic utlilty by decreasing the effect of the oversensitive receptors untill they decrease in affinity.
Basically, one theory is that its the ballance of 5-ht1a / 2a that is off in heightened anxiety / suicidality especially.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:983009
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110418/msgs/983186.html