Posted by Willful on July 19, 2012, at 10:34:33
In reply to Antipsychotics shrink the brain, posted by zazenducke on July 19, 2012, at 6:32:22
There is conflicting evidence about the effects of various medications, but it seems strongly indicated the typical antipsychotics do affect brain structure and basal ganglia structure in ways that had not been realized.
This is certainly an important topic for anyone who takes any of these medications.
These articles suggest that the evidence is complex but needs to be researched thoroughly.
Two examples that I found, to complement zazenducke's information were:
http://www.namigainesville.org/images/antipsychmedshelpbrain.pdf
Summary
Currently, there is growing evidence that atypical
antipsychotics might ameliorate structural changes caused
by the disease process underlying schizophrenia and
effects of typical antipsychotics. Further studies have to
investigate the mechanism leading to these varying effects
on brain structure.and
"The neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of psychotropic agents" (Joshua Hunsberger, Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, NIMH, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) :
Accumulating evidence suggests that psychotropic agents such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics realize their neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects by activating the mitogen activated protein kinaselextracellular signal-related kinase, PI3-kinase, and winglesslglycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3 signaling pathways. These agents also upregulate the expression of trophic/protective molecules such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, B-cell lymphoma 2, serine-threonine kinase, and Bcl-2 associated athanogene 1, and inactivate proapoptotic molecules such as GSK-3, They also promote neurogenesis and are protective in models of neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia. Most if not all, of this evidence was collected from animal studies that used clinically relevant treatment regimens. Furthermore, human imaging studies have found that these agents increase the volume and density of brain tissue, as well as levels of N-acetyl aspartate and glutamate in selected brain regions. Taken together, these data suggest that the neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects of these agents have broad therapeutic potential in the treatment, not only of mood disorders and schizophrenia, but also neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia.
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I hope researchers are focusing on these issues, as the increase/decrease of brain volume in certain areas is an important piece of information that should influence treatment choices.
There may be neuroprotective as well as not understood other less positive brain changes caused by these drugs which are so widely distributed. More nuanced understanding certainly is needed.
Emsam.
Abilify
Provigil
Rilutek
poster:Willful
thread:1021751
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1021771.html