Posted by conundrum on April 4, 2010, at 10:29:24
In reply to Re: Why is anhedonia regarded as a part of depress » conundrum, posted by Economist on April 3, 2010, at 18:45:59
Well I'll try to make this brief so that the thread doesn't get redirected to the neurotransmitters page. Basically its a receptor that turns off the release of a neuotransmitter. the D2 receptor is an autoreceptor when it is on dopaminergic neurones. When more dopamine releases it hits that neuron, it agonizes it. Agonizing is a fancy way of saying activating. So dopamine activates this receptor and then the cell won't release any more dopamine. Its a feedback loop that prevents the brain from continually releasing neurotransmitters. Abilify also activates this receptor and shuts down dopamine release, when it attaches to receptors on dopaminergic presynaptic receptors. However when it binds to post synaptic receptors, that aren't autoreceptors it can create pleasure, and drive.
A drug like Zyprexa or any of the other aytpical antipsychotics would block that autoreceptors and the feedback loop would be broken to some extent and your brain would release more dopamine. The down side is that some post synaptic receptors would also be blocked so the pleasurable effects could decrease especially at higher doses.
Post-SSRI syndrome: iatrogenic anhedonia, memory and concentration problems, sexual dysfunction. [NOTE no sadness or anxiety, this is NOT depression!]
Current med: 100mg pristiq
Location: USA
poster:conundrum
thread:887696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100328/msgs/942138.html