Posted by garnet71 on March 19, 2009, at 10:10:48
In reply to Re: ADD meds/motivation/concentration, posted by desolationrower on March 17, 2009, at 2:45:51
Hi d/r! Does this say that the difference in the way these 2 meds affect NA levels is the determinant for which med is most helpful?
what is "pfc"
I get the first 1/2 of what you said, then didn't get the context of the second half in relation to the first.
????
Ritalin methylphenidate is the reuptake inhibitorAdderral is the catecholemine releaser (also blocks uptake)
Adderall - catecholamine activity/both phasic, and tonic.
locus correulous/NA neurons:
tonic - energy/awake vs. sleep
phasic - attention to things as importantPhasic DA overactivity = impulsiviness
Phasic DA underactivity = prevents proper maintnence of long-term goal, and then allows for increased distractability. otoh inattention, inhibition and social anxiety have sometimes shown the opposite, so there isn't a clear role for DA worked out yet i don't think.
Ok, the second thing to know is that there isa lot of interaction in these systems, and location or even timing can have big effects. so moderate levels of NA in the frontal cortex agonize the postynaptic alpha2 adrenoceptors, and increase focus. less NA, no focus, but too much NA, alpha1 and beta adrenoceptors are ativated, and you get distracted, and pfc inhibition fails and pfc loses control->this is happening when you stress out and can't think straight.SO then pfc attentional networks are important for control of lower regions, as NA & DA in the pfc affect da release in the limbic regions. frontal NA is also important for maintaining DA in lower levels in the 'response' portion to stress, once NA drops in cortex it cascades into feeling of hopelessness & 'give up'.
poster:garnet71
thread:885656
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090313/msgs/886056.html