Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 13, 2009, at 12:01:50
In reply to Re: Dopamine depletion: A myth?, posted by SLS on April 13, 2009, at 8:06:07
Hi Scott.
Woah, that's a surprise. I've always heard that the idea was to quash the dopamine, not enhance it.
That Abilify enhances DA--is that why, in the words of a infamous psychiatrist around here--"Abilify is sh*t for hallucinations."
What does Haldol do? Curious b/c my sister, who has schizophrenia, is on that. It is not the best thing ever, she still has manifold symptoms, but the doctor is loathe to destabilize her because she was misdiagnosed Bipolar for so many years (and not given antipsychotics), her psychosis took hold and is hard to shake. I disagree with him, but for various reasons my opinion doesn't really matter.
Finally, I've always been afraid to take any drugs that enhance dopamine. I do have ADD, but for instance Adderall did the job but too well--I felt pretty much like I was on acid, without the hallucinations. Wellbutrin gives me severe anxiety and anger, even at 75mg. Yet I am quite sure I have SSRI-induced apathy, blahness, etc.
So how does one parse out what the balance should be so that you have enough dopamine for antidepressant effects but not too much that you tip into psychosis? I'm sure this all has something to do with what parts of the brain the dopamine is being stimulated or downregulated.Ahhhh, a very long post full of queries. Sorry to have gone on and on. You strike me as someone that may have some answers about these questions I've had for a long, long time.
Thanks, Amelia
> > I thought neuroleptics were dopamine antagonists. You're saying that they stimulate DA?
> >
> > > You just need to stimulate the DA nerves to fire. This can be accomplished by using stimulants, Wellbutrin, and possibly atypical neuroleptics.
>
> Hi Amelia.
>
> Some of the neuroleptics are known to stimulate the synthesis and release of DA through the selective blockage of presynaptic autoreceptors. Sulpiride and amisulpride are examples of this. Abilify (aripiprazole) accomplishes DA enhancement by acting as a partial agonist at DA postsynaptic receptors.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
poster:Amelia_in_StPaul
thread:889604
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20090129/msgs/890357.html