Posted by pablo1 on August 2, 2004, at 22:19:39
In reply to Norepinephrine vs. Dopamine, posted by KaraS on August 2, 2004, at 16:47:03
Excellent question!
The ADD stimulants have a significant NE component (as well as the primary dopamine action) so it's pretty hard to sort out. There aren't many pure dopamine medications, even cocaine & crystal meth work on NE to some degree.
In rough terms NE is the tense adrenaline, stress, fight/flight system and dopamine is the pleasure/reward system. I have no clue how concentration fits into those physical body descriptions. Motivation versus activity makes sense though. I wonder which effects obsessive behavior (which I associate with adrenaline/NE) but it's a motivation (avoidance) powered thing as well.
Ack, I'm confused now. Gotta read up on those links and will get back. As always, there is a counterintuitive factor where too much or too little gives the opposite effect.
The basic contradiction is that NE sounds more stimulating and DA more euphoric/sedating but the traditional mixture is something like 80% DA, 20% NE to get what we call a stimulant.
The pure DA meds can make people jittery but 'jittery' is something I'd be more likely to associate with adrenaline.
poster:pablo1
thread:373267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/373401.html