Posted by linkadge on February 18, 2007, at 8:34:11
In reply to Re: low dose risperdal -- Med, posted by munificentexegete on February 16, 2007, at 5:48:16
>true, what about if we redefined schizophrenia >as an overactivity of the dopaminergic system? >Then they could test for it, and treat it with >antidopaminergic meds.
There only very weak proof that schizophrenia is related to an overactivity of dopamine. New research suggests that the disease is intercellular. Dopamine only acts as a signal to activate intercellular second messenger systems.
And there are no tests that can measure dopamine levels acuratly in the brain. Without entering the brain iteslf, one can only test for metabolite levels. But metabolite levels are only an indicator of dopamine metabolism not overall brain dopamine functionality.
In addition, even if dopamine levels were abnormally high, a dopamine receptor blocker is not going to correct that. It simply blocks the receptors, which upregulates their sensitivity.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:730044
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070213/msgs/733777.html