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Phil L
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Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« on: Jun 3rd, 2007, 8:13pm » |
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I've come across something interesting and perhaps others can comment on this. First a little history. I'll be 65 next month, started CH four years ago at 61. Not your typical profile, but it is what it is. Up until a year ago I was taking 200mg of Buproprion (Wellbutrin) a day for many year's. Now this is were it get's interesting. Buproprion raises levels of dopamine and I learned today that dopamine is synthesized in, you guessed it, the hypothalamus. So, somebody help me out here. Could there possible be a nexus between increasing dopamine and a quirky hypothalamus leading to CH?
Phil
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| « Last Edit: Jun 4th, 2007, 4:51pm by Phil L » |
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LeeS
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #1 on: Jun 5th, 2007, 12:21pm » |
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IMHO, there is definitely a nexus here Phil, but I doubt whether it's causal. I don't think there's any doubt that dopamine is involved in CH despite the fact that most research (and medication) still concentrates on a potential serotonergic problem.
Bupropion is both a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (although it is about twice as potent an inhibitor of dopamine uptake than norepinephrine) so its mechanism of action is likely to impact upon CH; but maybe in a positive manner. Perhaps this is why your age of onset may have been delayed i.e. the Wellbrutin may have been having some sort of historical preventative effect?
For example, a drug called pramipexole (which is a dopamine agonist) has been reported to be efficacious in the treatment of CH, although the evidence is currently somewhat scant. Similarly, both olanzapine and kudzu also act on dopamine receptors (although they also work serotonergically) and olanzapine is (I believe) actually a dopamine antagonist.
Anyway, interesting stuff. Did you drop the bupropion for health reasons Phil? If not, you may want to consider talking to your GP/Neuro again 
-Lee
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Phil L
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #2 on: Jun 5th, 2007, 6:42pm » |
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Hi Lee and thank you for taking the time to respond. I stoped taking buproprion in an effort to see if the drug was related to other issues. The end result was that we really don't know and I have recently continued with the drug again, but a a much lower dose.
Fascinating to think that buproprion could have actually delayed the CH.
Phil
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LeeS
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #3 on: Jun 7th, 2007, 12:31pm » |
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Hi Phil
Would be interested to hear if your CH activity declines following the re-introduction of the bupropion. Have you discussed upping it to the previous level with your doc?
All the best with it.
-Lee
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Phil L
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #4 on: Jun 10th, 2007, 9:31am » |
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Hello Lee,
I've an appointment with my neurologist this coming Thursday and will discuss it with her at that time and provide a back brief here. Strangley, since reintroducing the buproprion I've been shadowing everyday in the kip 2 - 4 range with an occasional kip spike. Unusual for me at this time of year. Related, who knows or perhaps just morphing to keep me on my toes.
Phil
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Phil L
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #5 on: Jun 19th, 2007, 11:36pm » |
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Update. My neurologist seemed crushed for time which is unusual for her. However, we did chat about a buproprion connection which she will explore. No complaints as Dr Chan is one bright, concerned MD who truly understands CH and is not bashful prescribing 02, Trex or whatever seems to work. She is on the medical staff of UCSD and works part time for the VAMC in SD.
Anyone in this local who has a need should look her up.
Phil
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LeeS
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #6 on: Jun 20th, 2007, 1:11pm » |
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Thanks for the feedback Phil.
Do let us know what Dr Chan's thoughts are in respect of the bupropion - I'm intriqued.
-Lee
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black
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Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
« Reply #7 on: Jun 27th, 2007, 8:18am » |
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in x- rays for a reason that hasn t been explained yet sufferers from ch have bigger Hypothalamus in the side they suffer.as far as i know Hypothalamus is responsible for metavolism among other things i dont know and forget. my x-ray was as i read but i dont really know what that means and no doc has an answer for now 
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