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Re: LATUDA/ NEW AP for Schizo and Bipolar » stargazer2

Posted by Tomatheus on December 30, 2013, at 0:50:27

In reply to Re: LATUDA/ NEW AP for Schizo and Bipolar, posted by stargazer2 on December 29, 2013, at 23:58:44

Stargazer,

Thank you for your response. I wonder if it might just be a matter of time before Latuda will gain approval to be used in the add-on treatment of major depressive disorder. I think that Abilify and Seroquel were approved for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for a while (without being approved as depression treatments) before they were approved for the add-on treatment of depression. Latuda could prove to be an attractive medication for the treatment of depressive disorders, I think, because of its partial agonist activity at 5HT1A receptors (a certain type of serotonin receptor). Basically, instead of blocking the receptors like some antipsychotics do, Latuda binds to the receptors and activates them, although to a lesser extent than a "full agonist" of the 5HT1A receptor would. At least that's my understanding of how a 5HT1A receptor partial agonist works.

The fact that you seem to be doing well on Latuda is also promising, of course. I of course am not a mental health professional, but I tend to think that your response to Latuda so far might possibly be due at least in part to the medication's action at the 5HT1A receptors, as opposed to the fact that the medication is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. In other words, I think that the medication may have antidepressant effects and that it's those effects that you're likely responding to. I'm not 100 percent sure about this, but, to answer your question, I think that I've read that the new DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) requires that a patient exhibit some "positive" psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, and/or disorganized speech) to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. So, I don't think that a person with only "negative" symptoms (reduction in goal-oriented behavior, affective flattening, poverty of speech, social withdrawal, etc.) can be diagnosed with schizophrenia, although a person with only "negative" symptoms (and no "positive" ones) might meet the criteria for a different psychotic disorder. Of course, this is just my lay-person's understanding of the DSM, and I would take what I say with a grain of salt and seek a professional's opinion if you want authoritative advice on whether your symptoms may be indicative of schizophrenia.

I hope that you'll continue to fare at least reasonably well with the treatment that you're receiving.

Tomatheus


Has an affective psychosis with strong symptoms of fatigue, hypersomnia, and difficulty concentrating

Taking Abilify & supplements


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poster:Tomatheus thread:1056950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20131209/msgs/1057168.html