Posted by Shawn. T. on July 8, 2004, at 18:20:32
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do???? » Shawn. T., posted by SLS on July 8, 2004, at 8:13:52
See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8384571 and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8762065 for information on the binding distribution of Neurontin. I would assume that it affects many different regions of the brain; Hill et al. (1993) found the highest levels of binding sites in the outer layers of the cerebral cortex. The articles that detail the calcium channel subunit binding profile of Neurontin may be obtained at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11306709&dopt=Abstract and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12181424&dopt=Abstract
Several reports have suggested that Neurontin can increase GABA levels; however, a few studies did not share this finding. One report (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9237051) has suggested that Neurontin inhibits GABA-transaminase in mouse brain. On the other hand, another study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12823570) involving several sections of rat brain found that Neurontin did not inhibit GABA-transaminase. I don't know of any other probable direct mechanisms through which Neurontin might affect GABA synthesis. At this point, I think that it is too early to draw any conclusions.
As far as psychiatric disorders are concerned, I don't really have an opinion about the use of Neurontin. Thanks for your support...
Shawn
poster:Shawn. T.
thread:363684
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040704/msgs/364168.html