Posted by SLS on October 16, 2001, at 15:45:44
In reply to Re: a thought of my own » Daveman, posted by Cam W. on October 16, 2001, at 0:35:03
In re: brain-zaps.
It has been well over a decade since I had to undergo a withdrawal syndrome due to the discontinuation of clonazepam, but I recall experiencing brain-zaps that were very similar to those I experienced when discontinuing Effexor. I would be curious to know if this is an occurrence common to benzodiazepines in general or something specific to clonazepam. As I recall from early studies, clonazepam was often separated from the others by being ascribed pro-serotonergic properties. Perhaps this is the reason why it tends to be more effective for social-phobia and OCD. Clonazepam is also noted to have certain anticonvulsant (and perhaps anti-manic) properties not displayed by the other benzodiazepines. While searching Medline in an effort to confirm my recollections, I found some rather interesting relationships between myclonus, GABA, and 5-HT that I think support Cam W.’s ideas.
- Scott
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Adv Neurol 1986;43:629-43
Mechanism of action of clonazepam in myoclonus in relation to effects on GABA and 5-HT.Jenner P, Pratt JA, Marsden CD.
“Clonazepam is a potent anticonvulsant 1,4-benzodiazepine that controls some types of myoclonus. Its primary mode of action is to facilitate GABAergic transmission in the brain by a direct effect on benzodiazepine receptors. GABA receptors lie on the cell bodies of dorsal raphe neurons, and GABA acts to inhibit raphe cell firing, an action potentiated by benzodiazepines.”
poster:SLS
thread:5582
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/81409.html