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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SandyWeb on January 14, 2004, at 9:12:24
Have many of you found that norepinephrine helps with your concentration? In particular, does anyone with ADD take meds that release more norepinephrine into the blood...such as Remeron?
I would like to know if anyone has found Remeron (or any meds that improve the amount of norepinephrine) to help with tasks of concentration and focus.
Thanks so much.
Sandy
Posted by Bill LL on January 14, 2004, at 9:51:28
In reply to Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by SandyWeb on January 14, 2004, at 9:12:24
Concentration issues are often a symptom of depression. Therefore, any antidepressant can increase concentration.
I know that the antidepressant Wellbutrin is often given specifically to depressed people with concentration problems. It is both an antidepressant, and an ADD drug. Wellbutrin affects both dopamine and norepinephrine but scientists do not know which is responsible for it's antidepressant effects. I think that the ADD effects of Wellbutrin are probably more related to the dopamine.
Antidepressants, as well as ritalin and other ADD drugs affect people differently. So after my long rambling, I would say that maybe Remeron would help with ADD. I would say that if Remeron makes you less depressed, then it will probably let you concentrate better.
Posted by crazychickuk on January 14, 2004, at 10:44:11
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by Bill LL on January 14, 2004, at 9:51:28
I heared that rittalin is good for conentration, i think it is rittalin begins with an r anyways.. not remeron, another one.. also ginka.. which i am gonna ask about in my next question !! lol..
Posted by Siraris on January 14, 2004, at 11:07:09
In reply to Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by SandyWeb on January 14, 2004, at 9:12:24
I would ask the people at Eli Lilly, you know, with the whole Strattera thing.
Posted by SandyWeb on January 14, 2004, at 11:14:35
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by Siraris on January 14, 2004, at 11:07:09
"The prefrontal cortex is believed to be heavily involved in planning and decision making processes. Therefore, increasing the levels of norepinephrine (the focus neurotransmitter) in this area will result in improved cognitive functioning."
I read this on a site. And since Remeron causes an increased release of norepinephrine, that would increase the levels in the synaptic gap. But does Remeron work in the prefrontal cortex?
Posted by zeugma on January 14, 2004, at 19:36:03
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by SandyWeb on January 14, 2004, at 11:14:35
Remeron is an NE-alpha-2 antagonist. Alpha-2 receptors are inhibitory, therefore blocking them de-inhibits, that is, causes more NE to be released.
Strattera, and many TCA's, are NE reuptake inhibitors, which cause more NE to be available in the synaptic cleft. This is analogous to the way SSRI's increase the availability of 5-HT.
NE reuptake inhibitors have been known for a long time to be efficacious in the treatment of ADD, albeit possibly less so than psychostimulants. I find Strattera's main effect to be the promotion of mental clarity. I'm curious if anyone has had this effect from Remeron.
Posted by PoohBear on January 15, 2004, at 13:02:00
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and Concentration, posted by zeugma on January 14, 2004, at 19:36:03
I would agree regarding the clarity issues.
I have ADD/ADHD and comorbid depression. I took many of the common ADD drugs six years ago to help with concentration, etc, but none worked.
This time we've tackled the depression first, using Effexor XR. We also added Wellbutrin, but have since dropped that in favor of Remeron.
I have noticed much better quality sleep as well as greatly increased clarity with the Remeron. My mind feels more "here", rather than somewhere else if you know what I mean. (And if you have ADHD, you do...)
I can still find myself staring into space, but find that I can force myself to be productive more easily and go off on fewer bunny trails. I believe as noted in a post above that much of this has come from dealing with the depression.
YMMV.
TR
Posted by jparsell82 on January 17, 2004, at 11:47:24
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and Concentration » zeugma, posted by PoohBear on January 15, 2004, at 13:02:00
One of my friend's has tried both Strattera and Reboxetine for ADD. He said that the Reboxetine worked better than the Strattera... helped him focus better. I think Reboxetine is more highly selective for Norepinephrine than Strattera. Unfortunately, Reboxetine's only available in Europe.
This is the end of the thread.
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