Posted by linkadge on August 24, 2006, at 18:48:47
In reply to Re: Are antipsychotics good for depression???, posted by Frequent Fryer on August 24, 2006, at 17:56:03
Depression is more complicated than low serotonin etc. It may be due to low neurotransmitter action at certain serotonin receptors rather than low levels of the chemical overall.
Taking an SSRI increases serotonin activity at all serotonin receptors, but different serotonin receptors have greatly varying effects on mood.
*Reducing* serotonin activity (at certain receptors) also seems to help mood and anxiety.
Taking an atypical antipsychotic is a crude way to reduce serotonin activity at certain receptors, and to perhaps augment the action of the drug.
Agents that block the 5-ht2a receptors like seroquel often promote sleep, and reduce anxiety, that is because blocking 5-ht2a increases melatonin release.
There are other agents that might augment an antidepressant equally as well as an atypical antipsychotic. Those being, Trazodone, periactin, remeron, TCA's, serzone etc.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:679424
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/679727.html