View original post
The reason for the varied responses is that there are several sub-types of NMDA receptors. Each NMDA (and many other) receptor is an amalgam of sub-units, and the types of sub-units involved change the structure, and thus the response to different chemicals. To make it worse, many agonists (ie. chemicals that'll bind to the receptor and cause it to open) aren't perfectly selective to one combination of sub-units, a fact that made my doctoral research partocularly fun. So if a drug is designed to target one type of NMDA receptors, often, it'll have off target effects, which in some cases can be beneficial.
The reason for the varied responses is that there are several sub-types of NMDA receptors. Each NMDA (and many other) receptor is an amalgam of sub-units, and the types of sub-units involved change the structure, and thus the response to different chemicals. To make it worse, many agonists (ie. chemicals that'll bind to the receptor and cause it to open) aren't perfectly selective to one combination of sub-units, a fact that made my doctoral research partocularly fun. So if a drug is designed to target one type of NMDA receptors, often, it'll have off target effects, which in some cases can be beneficial.
To complicate things further, there's evidence that some types of sub-units are produced less in some brain regions in major depression.
Nods I know this but my understanding of the NMDA system is basic from a medical standpoint, so pretend I know nothing even though that is very much not true.
The weeds are so important with this stuff.
On a tangent, there's quite a bit of work linking autoimmune conditions and depression. I'm pretty sure you've come across this, but if you need some literature, let me know.
I love and adore literature.
NSSP/I have tried every antidepressant known to medicine.
13/02/2019 03:58:41 AM
- 523 Views
There's currently a trial underway. Maybe you can join?
13/02/2019 04:51:12 AM
- 322 Views
They did more than that
13/02/2019 05:01:03 AM
- 331 Views
Princeton has had amazing results treating non-responsive depression with psilocybin.
13/02/2019 05:06:45 AM
- 305 Views
Thank you for that.
13/02/2019 05:04:06 AM
- 317 Views
Of course!
13/02/2019 05:09:13 AM
- 305 Views
I have always been suicidal but even more so since my wife died two years ago
13/02/2019 05:24:38 AM
- 310 Views
Not a doctor
13/02/2019 04:56:57 AM
- 305 Views
Yes I have read about the ketamine trials
13/02/2019 05:01:10 AM
- 313 Views
There are more drugs in development as well.
13/02/2019 05:28:41 AM
- 316 Views
I have taken all of these
13/02/2019 05:46:32 AM
- 297 Views