Why Are Depression Medications Often Ineffective? Brain Theory Explains New Role for Serotonin

[bananas]

http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14296/20130318/new-brain-theory-why-depression-medications-ineffective.htm

Why Are Depression Medications Often Ineffective? Brain Theory Explains New Role for Serotonin

SSRI antidepressants don’t work for many patients; new research explains a novel role for serotonin that could lead to better depression drug treatments.

By Ashik Siddique | Mar 18, 2013 06:19 PM EDT

Depression medications are prescribed to one in every 10 Americans, but do not work for many patients. A new study may help explain why antidepressants are often ineffective, with an alternative brain model for depression that could debunk existing ideas about its causes and lead to more effective treatments.

A group of University of Maryland researchers explored the brain chemical serotonin's role in depression, with results that could dramatically shift the way doctors understand the condition and prescribe antidepressants.

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A new study from the University of Maryland challenges the prevailing serotonin theory of depression, suggesting that depression results mainly from a disturbance in the way that brain cells communicate with each other, not simply from a drop in serotonin levels.

The researchers, led by Dr. Scott M. Thompson of the University of the Maryland School of Medicine, believe that the exchange of excitatory signals between neurons becomes abnormal in the depressed brain. The study was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience on March 17.

"Dr. Thompson's groundbreaking research could alter the field of psychiatric medicine, changing how we understand the crippling public health problem of depression and other mental illness," said Dr. E. Albert Reece of the University of Maryland School in a statement.

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The paper is paywalled at http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nn.3355.html

[Mnemosyne]

1. Hope they figure it out soon, not sure how much more I can take. nt

[Betsy Ross]

2. My thought exactly.nt

[Mnemosyne]

4. ...

[Control-Z]

3. [phone] (nt)

[Mnemosyne]

5. ...

[bananas]

6. ...

[Mnemosyne]

11. Thank you, bananas! It helped tonight.

[FLyellowdog]

7. ...

[Mnemosyne]

10. Thanks, needed that much tonight, FLyellowdog.

[KT2000]

9. Have you tried

cleaning your environment of as many toxic chemicals as possible?
I say this because people who are sensitive to chemicals often have reactions that send them into deep depression - the brain "goes gray" and some call it a brown-out. Some go into long term depression if they don't "clean up" their environment.
Unfortunately toxic chemicals are everywhere but the first place to start is in your bedroom because of the time spent there.

Use only unscented dish and laundry soap that does not have brighteners - you are best with small companies such as 7th Generation, Planet etc as the Tide-All-Arm & Hammer people don't get it even if they say unscented and eco-friendly.
Do not use dryer sheets - either add white vinegar to rinse water or use wool dryer balls instead.
Get rid of furniture made out of pressed board - it contains urea formaldehyde which releases formaldehyde for a very long time. If you have to keep a piece or two, seal it with heavy duty aluminum foil to keep the formaldehyde from off-gassing into your space.
If you have a new carpet either get rid of it or steam clean it with just water - a few times.
Don't use personal care products that contain lots of chemicals - read the label and google to learn about them. Hair care products can be awful.
Never use air fresheners or odor eliminators. One popular odor eliminator is made up of 89 different chemicals.
Do not use pesticides or herbicides.
Do not wear dry cleaned clothes or store them in your bedroom.
Don't use furniture sprays - mix olive oil and lemon juice for a furniture cleaner.

Many of the chemicals we are exposed to - constantly - are neurotoxins.

Here are two websites that will help you learn about the chemicals in your environment:
www.ewg.org - learn about the chemicals in personal care and cleaning products
www.healthandenvironment.org - learn what health effects are associated with particular chemicals

It is worth a try and could very possibly help you.
Best wishes

[Mnemosyne]

12. Thank you, KT. I've taken out many allergens and contaminates over the last few years. Now I am

on an intense mold/candiasis detox. Whee.

I've started GABA for the depression/bi-polar. It has eased it some, but after too many antidepressants, anti-psychotics (though I was/am not) and a vast variety of meds over many years, I am down to none left to try. GABA is one of my last chances. Been through Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, various other herbal types, little result for most.

I still have hope for awhile. Thanks for taking time to be here, really needed it tonight. :

[KT2000]

14. Sure Mnemosyne

Am familiar with it so I really feel for you.

Just keep the hope - from what they are learning an answer should be coming.
You have probably already tried it but a friend found 5-HTP helpful.

[Neoma]

8. New group to put this stuff in btw.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1260

[elleng]

13. Thanks. Just x-posted at Mental Health Information,

as suggested by Neoma.

[bananas]

15. Some depressing statistics

From another article about the same study:

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-depression-stems-miscommunication-brain-cells.html

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2005 and 2008, approximately one in 10 Americans were treated for depression, with women more than twice as likely as men to become depressed. The most common antidepressant medications, such as Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa, work by preventing brain cells from absorbing serotonin, resulting in an increase in its concentration in the brain. Unfortunately, these medications are effective in only about half of patients.

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Depression affects more than a quarter of all U.S. adults at some point in their lives, and the World Health Organization predicts that by 2020 it will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression is also the leading risk factor for suicide, which causes twice as many deaths as murder, and is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds.

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