American FDA Approves Video Game as ADHD Treatment, Makes it Available as a Prescription

[R-T-B]

Actually, Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts,) is a substituted amphetamine. Ritalin (methylphenidate,) is actually considerably different in the sense that it's just a NDRI.

Thanks for the correction. Not familiar with Ritalin just figured it was the same class of drugs since they are often used for same case types.

I'm going to kindly ignore the rest of this discussion for right now.

 

[Aquinus]

If you administer free neurotransmitters, the cells obviously 'downregulate' their receptors. What is there to elaborate further?

Unfortunately you're looking through a very narrow lens if you think it ends there. That's a gross oversimplification of what's going on. You're right that repeated exposure to high levels of neurotransmitters is going to down regulate receptors in the brain, but what you're forgetting is that also includes pre-synaptic neurons (autoreceptors,) which influence neurotransmitter release where more exposure will mean less release. So, it's not just a matter of increasing neurotransmitters in the brain. Looking at it that way, you'd think that mixed amphetamine salts and methylphenidate are the same thing, except methylphenidate increases firing rate whereas mixed amphetamine salts reduce firing rate.

This isn't the only type of disease that's treated this way. The same sort of idea is true with antidepressants for MDD and anxiety disorders which are treated these days with SSRIs. The therapeutic effect isn't from increasing the levels of free serotonin alone. In fact, that's directly responsible for the side-effect profile of SSRIs. However, the benefit comes from the down-regulating of receptors stimulated by serotonin.

There are a lot of peer reviewed studies on all of this.

 

[xrobwx71]

Side effects and risks associated with the long-term use of ADHD medication include:

• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Seizure.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Abuse and addiction.
• Skin discolorations.

Observations of children known to have used Ritalin long term show a number of them to suffer drug dependency later in life.

Are you an MD?

Unfortunately you're looking through a very narrow lens if you think it ends there. That's a gross oversimplification of what's going on. You're right that repeated exposure to high levels of neurotransmitters is going to down regulate receptors in the brain, but what you're forgetting is that also includes pre-synaptic neurons (autoreceptors,) which influence neurotransmitter release where more exposure will mean less release. So, it's not just a matter of increasing neurotransmitters in the brain. Looking at it that way, you'd think that mixed amphetamine salts and methylphenidate are the same thing, except methylphenidate increases firing rate whereas mixed amphetamine salts reduce firing rate.

This isn't the only type of disease that's treated this way. The same sort of idea is true with antidepressants for MDD and anxiety disorders which are treated these days with SSRIs. The therapeutic effect isn't from increasing the levels of free serotonin alone. In fact, that's directly responsible for the side-effect profile of SSRIs. However, the benefit comes from the down-regulating of receptors stimulated by serotonin.

There are a lot of peer reviewed studies on all of this.

SSRI's effectively turn off the vacuums that clean up serotonin leaving more serotonin available for the brain to use...(In layman's terms)

They not only help me with the anxiety but also my tendencies toward misanthropy. If I don't take them, I tend toward the sociopathic and/or lack of empathy.

 

[Aquinus]

SSRI's effectively turn off the vacuums that clean up serotonin leaving more serotonin available for the brain to use...(In layman's terms)

It's a bit more complicated than that. What you're describing is the initial effect, but most SSRIs don't actually start to make an improvement until several weeks after starting them. That change is due to changes in receptor expression due to constant stimulation by serotonin. Auto-receptors that act as a feedback mechanism will reduce neurotransmitter release. This is why a lot of SSRIs negative side effects occur in the first couple weeks of taking them but tend to subside after constant administration.

 

[Caring1]

Are you an MD?

What's your point?
Are you saying people can't have an opinion based on facts if they aren't trained in a field?

 

[xrobwx71]

It's a bit more complicated than that. What you're describing is the initial effect, but most SSRIs don't actually start to make an improvement until several weeks after starting them. That change is due to changes in receptor expression due to constant stimulation by serotonin. Auto-receptors that act as a feedback mechanism will reduce neurotransmitter release. This is why a lot of SSRIs negative side effects occur in the first couple weeks of taking them but tend to subside after constant administration.

Hence the (in layman's terms) in the parentheses. Thanks for the clarification though! I didn't know you expected a dissertation, I'll get on that. Hahaha..

What's your point?
Are you saying people can't have an opinion based on facts if they aren't trained in a field?

Not at all.
I'm asking because YOU called ME out for having an experience and sharing said experience and acting like my opinion didn't matter.
You also stated my Doctor lied to me. This is a person who went through medical school, went through residency, trained in a certain field for years yet you pop on the internet because you disagree with my viewpoint and call him a liar. Once you call a person out, be prepared for a different viewpoint. Have an open mind and try to discuss things instead of attacking someone that has a different experience than you. Otherwise you appear foolish and troll like. With that attitude, you'll never learn anything.
Just read your last post, it's itching for an argument. I have no interest in that. I'm also no longer interested in your opinion.

It's ok to disagree, it's how we learn.