Posted by Brandon on February 10, 2000, at 1:15:57
In reply to Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by Alice on February 10, 2000, at 0:45:14
> This may sound like a stupid question, but could someone please explain to me why SSRI's (for example, I take Prozac) inhibit the reuptake of serotonin? Isn't serotonin what makes you happy? So why do these drugs "inhibit" the brain's serotonin?? Thanx!!!
Alice,
This is a very simplistic explanation and I'm sure Scott or JohnL will go into deeper detail but I'll give you the short of it. Serotonin, Norepenephrine, Dopamine and a few others are chemicals. Each with a distinct structure althought they all resemble each other. Each one has a distinct receptor on the end of a nerve cell that they fit into. Drugs like Prozac and Co. resemble the structure of serotonin close enough to fit into the receptor thereby blocking the actual chemical from returning to it's site of release, hence the reuptake inhibiting effects. Like I said it's not very detailed, and I hope I didnt just confuse you more.
Brandon
poster:Brandon
thread:20962
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/20965.html