Posted by SLS on February 6, 2005, at 8:10:31
In reply to Re: Neurogenesis in rat cortex - not just hippocampus, posted by sabre on February 5, 2005, at 18:28:01
> Very interesting, Scott. Thanks.
>
> It leads to more questions:I bet. :-) I really don't know enough to answer them. :-(
GABA neurons serve to "calm down" the one that are stimulatory (like glutamate). Interestingly, some areas of the cortex seem to be hyperactive in depression - not underactive. It is quite possible that an increase in GABA neurons would help stabilize these areas. Because the investigators were still limited to the number of protein markers they used to identify neuronal activity, it might be that new neurons that use other transmitters sprout as well. I have no idea. I hope so.
The guessing game:
> Do the new neurons replace those lost to stress and depression?
My guess is yes, although the new synapses might not directly replace old ones.> Do these interneurons increase your GABA requirements?
My guess is no. I believe the body does a good job of maintaining its own supply. In addition, I don't think these neurons require very much to function.> What happens to them when you go off ADs?
I think that depends on the state of the system at the time of discontinuation. In fully-remitted patients, perhaps these new neurons are maintained by a re-regulation of neural circuits that interact with them as these circuits are trained by the medications.> Should ADs be supplemented with GABA drugs especially after the new neurons grow?
My guess is no. Allow them operate the way the genetic machinery has programmed them for.> Perhaps this is why Ads lose their effectivenes for some people...they might then need a change or addition of GABA drugs ..
My guess is possibly. :-) Not a bad idea. It would be nice to be able to support these neurons with the supplementation or stimulation of endogenous growth factors. Lithium and Depakote do this.> What an amazing field to work in.
Really. Unfortunately, I lost much of my passion for it after being pounded by depression for so many years. I don't care anymore how things work. I care only to know what works for me.
:-(
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:453532
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/453913.html