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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Hypothalamus and Dopamine
        
(Message started by: Phil L on Jun 3^rd, 2007, 8:13pm)

Title: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by Phil L on Jun 3^rd, 2007, 8:13pm

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by LeeS on Jun 5^th, 2007, 12:21pm

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by Phil L on Jun 5^th, 2007, 6:42pm

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by LeeS on Jun 7^th, 2007, 12:31pm

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by Phil L on Jun 10^th, 2007, 9:31am

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by Phil L on Jun 19^th, 2007, 11:36pm

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

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by LeeS on Jun 20^th, 2007, 1:11pm

Thanks for the feedback Phil.

Do let us know what Dr Chan's thoughts are in respect of the bupropion - I'm intriqued.

-Lee

Title: Re: Hypothalamus and Dopamine
Post by black on Jun 27^th, 2007, 8:18am

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 :-X