Posted by SLS on March 29, 2013, at 22:05:12
In reply to Re: Lamictal/libido/dopamine, posted by poser938 on March 29, 2013, at 20:02:40
> Nevermind
I'm sorry that no one responded to you.
I happen to agree with you regarding Lamictal and its effect on dopamine function. I believe that my own experiences with this drug give hints that this is possible. For me, Lamictal reduces anhedonia and increases mental energy and activity level.
A number of years ago, I read that certain glutamate pathways actually inhibited dopamine activity in the nucleus accumbens. (Unfortunately, I can't find the citation). Lamictal reduces glutamate release, and might therefore act to disinhibit dopamine neurons and increase dopamine release there. I just want to mention that other glutamate pathways act to stimulate dopamine release. That's why it is often better to conceptualize the brain as a network of wires rather than a bucket of neurotransmitters. Where a neuron is routed is at least important as which neurotransmitter it uses to transduce the message it sends. Remember, the same receptor can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on its location along the cell membrane.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1041223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130322/msgs/1041331.html