Posted by linkadge on May 25, 2007, at 14:20:52
In reply to Re: Some questions about Lithium., posted by Squiggles on May 25, 2007, at 11:42:32
Its hard to say that antidopaminergic drugs cause parkinsons. They can cause functional parkinsons, but wheather they are inducing the type of dammage (dopaminergic cell loss) which is associated with parkinsons is uncertain.
My personal speculation of why serotonergic antidepressants may lead to future parkinsons is via their indirect effects on melatonin levels.
Supressing melatonin excretion with SSRI's could open the door to a whole host of problems, as melatonin is both a potent antioxidant, and neuroprotectant.
Thats just my own theory though.
Any potent SSRI will have some effect on dopamine neurotranmsission. Roughtly speaking, ehancing serotonin will supress dopamine function in certain areas of the brain.
For depression in parkinsons, wellbutrin, nortryptaline, or others may be more suited, but I am not up on that.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:759071
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070524/msgs/759469.html