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neuron, they
are not exposed to metabolism by the MAO
and COMT enzymes; they are safe and
stable. When neurotransmitters
are in the synapse between the
pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron,
they are exposed to enzymatic
metabolism, which leads to the depletion
of neurotransmitters if proper levels of
amino acid precursors are not
administered to compensate for this
process.24
In
depressed patients, synaptic
neurotransmitter levels are not high
enough to prevent disease symptoms, as
illustrated in figure 2. Treatment
with reuptake inhibitors leads to a
decrease in presynaptic neurotransmitter
levels (where they are safe from
enzymatic metabolism) and an increase in
the number of neurotransmitters in the
synapse, as illustrated in figure 2.
The blocking of neurotransmitter
reuptake increases synaptic levels and
the probability that neurotransmitters
will experience enzymatic metabolism.
Depression Reuptake Inhibitor Depletion of Neurotransmitters
Figure 2:
Titled: “The
effects of reuptake inhibitors on
neurotransmitter levels, reuptake
inhibition may deplete
neurotransmitters.” In the left
picture, prior to treatment,
neurotransmitter levels are not high
enough to prevent symptoms of disease.
In the center
picture, reuptake is blocked,
neurotransmitters move from
the vesicles of the pre-synaptic
neuron to the synapse. In the right
picture, the neurotransmitters are
depleted, the
increase in synaptic neurotransmitter
levels results in an increase in MAO and
COMT metabolism. Source of picture: The
National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Depression Reuptake Inhibitor Depletion of Neurotransmitters
With
regards to figure 2, the net effect of
enzymatic metabolism is the depletion of
neurotransmitter levels in the central
nervous system. Neurotransmitters do
not cross the blood brain barrier.
Therefore, the only way to increase
central nervous system levels or to
prevent the overall depletion of
neurotransmitters when administering
prescription drugs that block reuptake
is to provide amino acid precursors,
which are then synthesized into
neurotransmitters. Administering
L-tyrosine (not phenylalanine or
n-acetyl-tyrosine) or L-dopa is the only
way to predictably raise dopamine,
norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Administering tryptophan or
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the only
way to predictably raise serotonin
levels in the central nervous system.
It is noted that 5-HTP, L-dopa and
tyrosine are available in the United
States without a prescription. The
ability of tryptophan to raise serotonin
levels is limited because it is a
rate-limited reaction.
The
effects of neurotransmitter depletion by
drugs may have far ranging implications.
It has been found in studies that
depletion of serotonin by drugs may also
lead to a reduction the number of
serotonin synapses in the hippocampus.43
Its no secret, NeuroResearch Clinics uses the nutrients 5-HTP, tyrosine, levodopa,
and cysteine to treat medical
patients in order to get these
results. Proper
use of these simple ingredients in
medical treatment is not simple.
From time to time a patient will
say, "Why do I want to take that, I
can go to a health food store and
buy it?" People off the street
buying in a health food store is
like going to an art store and
buying a bunch of oil paints then
going home and expecting to paint
like a mater artist even though
there was no previous painting
experience. These nutrients have
tremendous potential due to their
chemical properties. This potential
is only fully realized in the hands
of the trained professional using
neurotransmitter testing. Treatment
is not just giving a nutrient pill, it is the whole medical management approach doctors are trained in to insure that that treatment is on track in order to get symptoms under control.
The Peer Reviewed Research
of NeuroResearch Clinics
The neurotransmitter treatment research findings of NeuroResearch Clinics
have not been ignored. The University of
Minnesota Medical School is writing a series of
papers on the neurotransmitter testing research of NeuroResearch Clinics. The first of a series of papers by University of Minnesota Medical School based on the neurotransmitter testing research of NeuroResearch was published in "NeuroPsychiatric Disease and Treatment" May 1, 2009. Ingrid
Kohlstadt, MD of Johns Hopkins in her new
medical text book released February 7, 2009
included a chapter on depression written by
Marty L. Hinz, MD President Clinical
Research NeuroResearch Clinics outlining in
depth the proper use of amino acids and
neurotransmitter testing in treatment of
depression.
Depression Reuptake Inhibitor Depletion of Neurotransmitters-research |
