Posted by Sherry on August 20, 2001, at 17:55:36
In reply to Re: Can someone interpret this? » grapebubblegum, posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2001, at 10:43:00
Thanks for the info. I am trying my best to learn, but finding it very difficult. I think I would have done much better before depression. Great analogy GBG. Really helped me understand. Cam what is the monoamine theory of depression?
> GBG & Sherry - Actually, the lack of neurotransmitter is not a cause, but a symptom (or an effect) of depression. If you naturally deplete serotonin (using a tryptophan-free amino acid drink) from a healthy, non-depressed individual, nothing happens. But, if you deplete serotonin from some people who have had depression and are in remission, they will relapse.
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> There is something going on in away from the serotonin (&/or norepinephrine, dopamine, etc) receptor that is causing this decrease in neurotransmitter. This may be at the level of second messengers &/or genetic transcription within the cell, or may be in a different system from the body's stress mechanism (HPA axis), such as the immune system (involving cytokine concentrations) or at the level of the hippocampus, amygdala, or other related brain structure.
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> Scientists are beginning to tease apart these systems, so we should have some answers within the next few years. I believe that the monoamine theory of depression is starting to look "dead in the water".
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> My 2¢ - Cam
poster:Sherry
thread:75266
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75718.html