Scientists ID the little bastard molecule that causes depression

[bananas]

Source: MSN

Scientists have used a particle accelerator (called the Diamond Light Source) to identify, for the first time, the specific little sh*t of a molecule responsible for causing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. The awful rat bastard of a particle turns out to be the protein receptor CRF1, which releases certain unsavory hormones when it detects stress molecules released by the hypothalamus. Scientists hope to use the information from this study to develop "small molecule drugs" that interact with the receptor's specific structure to treat these conditions more effectively. Now, which molecule makes us eat the entire jar of Nutella when we're depressed?

Read more: http://now.msn.com/protein-receptor-crf1-identified-as-depression-molecule

[Myrina]

1. I wish I could kick and rec this 1,000 times!!

[LearningCurve]

59. Took the words right out of my mouth

I need to learn how to make fun emoticons.

[DainBramaged]

2. My question is what's worse, depression of the potential side effects of drugs for depression?

This discovery will hopefully solve that problem.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm

[Deep13]

7. Depression hands down.

I'll never go back to the way I used to be.

[Mojorabbit]

13. I agree. Depression will suck every bit of joy out of one's life. nt

[Jamastiene]

16. Agree.

Enduring depression is a horrid experience. It really does literally, physically hurt as well, for a lot of us. A lot of people do not know that. I'll take the "brain zaps" when the pharmacy is late filling my prescription (because they don't seem to think it is all that important, if only they knew!), if it means relief from depression the rest of the time. Depression before finding the right antidepressant was pure misery and I never want to go back to that feeling.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

19. I hate those damned brain zaps.

I know exactly what you mean.

Ugggh.

[greiner3]

27. My father was an MSW at a VA psychiatric hospital;

And when I was a candidate for this treatment and I brought up 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's' portrayal of Electro Shock Treatment, he became very defensive and said the treatment was safe.

He said he was just beginning his job, in the late 50s, when this was coming back into vogue and chided me for not wanting the treatment.

I never got the treatment but I was suicidly depressed for most of my adult life, beginning as a 'tween' and lasting until a few years ago when my Dr. prescribed 2 anti seizure meds.

Since then I've been mostly depression free and the only times I have been since then is when my bipolar kicks in.

I'm anxiously awaiting meds resulting from this discovery.

If I turn green and grow a penis on my forehead I'll take this over getting depressed again.

[gvstn]

34. May I ask which two drugs you found helpful?

I had a terrible time several years ago and gave up on drugs after enduring particularly Paxil for about a year and several others. The only one that actually made me feel better was Klonopin, an anti-seizure, but my doctor did not prefer that for long term use. I'm only curious because I've been having a rather bad time recently and have been considering giving the drugs another go round. I just don't respond well to the usual Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. *Not asking for medical advice but your situation sounds similar to mine.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

37. Klonopin has helped me with anxiety.

As for depression, Pristiq (which is an SNRI) has helped. SNRI = Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor as opposed to SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

[gvstn]

39. Thanks for the information

I see that SNRI's still inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. I had such a bad experience with Paxil that I don't think I will ever go back on anything that works similarly but it is good to know that there are newer drugs out there.

If my current miasma doesn't break soon, I'll definitely explore the options with a doctor.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

40. You're most welcome.

I wasn't getting what I need from Zoloft, plus other side-effects were not wanted. I found that Pristiq, with both the Serotonin and the Norepinephrine aspect helped greatly.

Best of luck to you.

[DeadLetterOffice]

44. If you do decide to seek medication information

May I strongly suggest you go to a prescribing psychiatrist and not just to your GP?
As both a mental health professional and a consumer, I am frequently appalled by the way primary care physicians hand out psyche meds without adequate consumer education or follow-up. Yes, there are exceptions to this, and yes there are sucky psychiatrists also, but in general you're going to get more accurate information and better follow-up from someone who specializes in psyche meds.

Best of luck to you!!

[gvstn]

48. Yes, my old GP was always

Eager to give out psych meds without much follow-up other than double the dose.
I ended up seeing a psychiatrist who was much more attentive and interested in how the drugs were effecting me. He was fine but he moved his practice. I've been ok for a few years but this last year has really enervated me. I just seem to be lacking any hope at a very fundamental level. Hasn't been this bad in many years. If it doesn't pass in the next month or so, I will get serious about it in the Fall.

Thank you for the well wishes.

[grahamhgreen]

73. Klonopin is EXTREMLY dangerous. Wean yourself off...

http://m.

&feature=related

Research benzo withdrawal

Natural alternatives are 5htp, or CBD spray if you have access to MMJ

[Fantastic Anarchist]

75. Thank you.

I take such a low dose (1mg per day) that I hardly even notice it.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

36. Oh, I might have misunderstood the original poster.

When I go a day or two without an SSRI (or in my case, SNRI), I feel these shock type things in my head. It's unnerving more than anything else. I have never, nor do I intend to, have shock therapy.

I'm glad you were able to find something that helped with your depression.

May I ask, did you have seizures, or did the doctor just prescribe them off-inidcation?

[Adsos Letter]

76. Brain Shivers

I experienced them while on Venlafaxine. Very uncomfortable, especially when tapering off of that particular anti-depressant.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

77. They were pretty annoying to me ...

... but nothing really catastrophic. They would come and go for a few days and then subside. I'm still on Pristiq, so I imagine that when I decide to quit this one, the same will occur.

[Adsos Letter]

79. Hopefully not.

I think Venlafaxine is the worst for that sort of thing, but I am unfamiliar with Pristiq.

The Klonopin, even at a low dose, will give you some of those effects should you decide to taper off.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

80. Klonopin is like my security blanket more than anything.

I've gone a week without it, but it's more mental now, I think (or hope).

[davidpdx]

70. But at the same time some of the medications have such awful side effects

I couldn't go without them either, I just wish I could find something that doesn't screw with the other functions of my life (read between the lines on that one).

[Adsos Letter]

78. Have you ever been on Welbutrin

or had it added to the regimen that you are currently on? It tends to have a more stimulating effect than any of the other anti-depressants.

[davidpdx]

81. That's one of the ones I'm on

My doctor just cut my dose for that one in half. He says he doesn't like it very much.

[kirby]

9. Probably depends on the person

It probably depends on the person, how they handle depression, and what their side effects are. It is such an individualized thing.

[mopinko]

14. if that is your question

you need to try some different drugs, maybe.
they work different for everyone. took me a long time to find one that was worth anything.

[DainBramaged]

18. That was the point

Some of the side effects of the drugs are horrific and make a person pause in using them if any crop up. I keep seeing the advertisements for Abilify (adjunct) , and wonder how anyone could even try it.


In 6-week clinical studies of adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the most commonly observed side effects associated with ABILIFY (aripiprazole) plus an antidepressant were an inner sense of restlessness or need to move (akathisia), restlessness, insomnia, fatigue, blurred vision, and constipation. These side effects were reported in at least 5% of patients taking ABILIFY plus an antidepressant and at least twice the rate of patients taking a placebo plus an antidepressant.

In clinical studies, 6% of patients taking ABILIFY (aripiprazole) plus an antidepressant stopped due to side effects, compared with 2% of patients taking a placebo plus an antidepressant.
http://www.addabilify.com/abilify-side-effects.aspx

[Fantastic Anarchist]

20. I tried Abilify ...

... horrible stuff. I felt like I needed to crawl out of my skin! The feeling of restlessness was maddening, yet I was still unmotivated to do anything (which is what I was taking it for). I find that Pristiq helps by itself.

Of course, I don't want anyone to take my word for it. Abilify may work for someone else, but it didn't work for me.

[mopinko]

25. they all have awful side effects

i have had a lot of luck that way- few bad effects, just few good effects.
cymbalta is the first one i have even gotten any good effects from, which makes sense because i have fibro. pain and exhaustion can bring you down pretty damn well.

and of all the diseases for people to need to be patient and hopeful.............
gotta keep trying, tho.

peace and low stress friend.

[wordpix]

54. Making a Killing - The Untold Story of Psychotropic Drugging (video)

One thing it points out is how little the drugs are tested and how short the trials are, so no one knows the efficacy or side effects by the time a drug hits the markets. Also, it's about the revolving door and clusterf**k of FDA, university researchers, psychiatrists and big pharma, and the scam that is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), all to keep the money rolling in.

In short, it's all about the billions of dollars made in the legal psychotropic drug trade by big pharma, aided and abetted by government, universities and psychiatrists.

Those who put their trust in these drugs and the psychiatrists who dispense them with little thought should see this. Be informed, at the very least.

[Jamastiene]

15. Depression is worse, by far. n/t

[crim son]

26. In my case, it's a choice of life or death.

I despise having to depend on meds to want to get out of bed, eat, interact, bathe or even move, but it sure beats the alternative.

[DeadLetterOffice]

45. +1000

I am slowly learning to think of my psyche meds the same way I think of insulin for someone with diabetes. If my body isn't doing it right and needs medication to solve that problem, so be it.

[liberalmike27]

31. While It Is Clear

Some depressions are worse than others, our society is stressful, unfair, and awful to live in.

I'd submit that for those who are normally depressed, perhaps even some who are suicidally depressed, it is the body's natural reaction to living in our current state. If your body is just telling you you're screwed, or your brain for that matter, because you are, then is it really something is wrong with "you" (isn't that just what all of the current propaganda tells you, that you screwed up man, nothing wrong with the system here, look away toward yourself for your problems) or is it your brain just reacting to the "pain" society is causing you. And that pain is probably more often than not, normal.

Some folks just find it easier to bear the pain, than others. It's as simple as that.

[LiberalLoner]

33. +1

[marions ghost]

42. Truth to what you say

I think it's actually in the "normal" range of reactions to be depressed about what we see & experience today. I disagree that it's a simple line between the copers and those who take anti-depressants. "Some find it easier to bear the pain" (until they don't). Those who bear it are still stressed which may come out in other ways.

So individuals have to decide for themselves whether they seek non-drug strategies or find help with drugs. I don't fault anyone who takes medications and feels better. But the fact of living in these stressful times should also be evaluated. "If your body is telling you you're screwed because you are..." A medication might not really help so much. Maybe useful short-term until you develop a strategy for coping with the reality of the situation.

I agree with you when you say that "our society is stressful, unfair, and awful to live in." And it is taking a toll. And some of that toll could be alleviated.

[distantearlywarning]

57. Fully agree.

Wish we (as a society) could work harder on fixing our general social environment and less hard on manufacturing new drugs for people to take to get themselves through living in that environment.

[Orsino]

43. A "potential" side effect can always be called worse.

But as the effects of depression may include death, a statistical view is probably much more helpful than worst-case scenarios.

[Locut0s]

50. Depends, do you mind suicide?...

Not to be too harsh but that's the option for many. Depression is serious not just feeling sad after your GF dumped you. I've had depression and anxiety to varying degrees my whole life.

[treestar]

60. Depression

If not depressed you can handle the side effects. If depressed, you can't handle anything.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Erm... There's probably more than just ONE biochemical cause of depression.

But it sounds like a potentially helpful discovery.

[Borchkins]

4. K&R

B

[bitchkitty]

5. I eat the entire jar of Nutella when I'm

happy, sad, depressed, bored, excited...I don't need an excuse!

[Thav]

12. They need to modify the serving size to "1 Jar"

I don't buy the stuff 'cause I'd do the same. I think it's slightly more addictive than cocaine, and the only side-effects are increased situps and sadness over an empty jar.

[Posteritatis]

52. One of the greatest proposals in history. Our descendants shall call this "year zero."

[emmadoggy]

65. Posts #5, #12 & #52 are

full of WIN!

So funny and SO TRUE!

[NV Whino]

6. I thought it was called GOP

[gtar100]

8. Awesome. We can get rid of it and then we won't feel so bad about

the oppressive world we live in. We'll be happy to live in abject poverty and spending all our time feeding the machine.

[kirby]

11. LOL

Not being depressed is different than not being sad about something. Typically depression is an impediment towards action.

[Sheepshank]

21. kind of a dumb response.

I suppose you were trying to be funny.

In the end, you appear to misunderstand the nature of depression. FWIW, it's actually NOT about politics or the economy or the 1% or Holder or Obama, or even kittens.

If this new drug they are attempting to develop creates a false sense of euphoria, (not unike LSD) I will remember you sage words.

[Posteritatis]

53. There's a significant, on-and-off problem around here politicizing mental illness

Plenty of people think depression means Awareness Of How The Man's Keeping Us Down, Man, or that some of the more aggressive mental illnesses are intrinsically conservative in nature, etc.

If someone on DU says something really stupid about a mental health issue, at this point I just kind of assume they're being sincere about it.

[NYC Liberal]

30. Depression is an illness, not just "feeling bad".

[Marrah_G]

32. Depression is a horrible, debilitating condition

[treestar]

61. It's the other way round

Depressed people don't do anything about the problems in the world. They feel overwhelmed.

[The Dude]

10. Brain candy?

[kentauros]

24. Cat on my head.

Cat on my head!!

[Ilsa]

17. K&R. nt

[WCLinolVir]

22. This CRF1 receptor has been known since at least 1999.

Numerous studies have been done already for possible antagonists.

[yellowcanine]

23. Is the "entire jar of Nutella" the same molecule as "entire 1/2 gallon of ice cream?

[eridani]

62. DUzy!! n/t

[Neoma]

28. Cross post to Mental Health Information group?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1260&sort=title

[cantbeserious]

29. Thank You For Sharing

eom

[Hekate]

35. It runs in my mother's side of the family, which means it runs in mine

It would be a gift to humanity to find the right meds.

My doc doesn't really believe I'm depressed, just like he thinks when people get older their fibro gets better.

Well, someone else diagnosed my fibro then moved away, and I had to go out of my way to find someone who didn't want new patients to prescribe something for the depression, so my doc just refills those Rx.

I'm here to tell you that you don't "outgrow" fibromyalgia and all its associated problems, you just stop telling your doc about it because you no longer believe it will get better if you do. Which, oddly enough, is one stellar symptom of depression itself. And, being depressed, you don't go out looking for another doc because this one is pretty good as long as you recognize that he has his limitations.

[valerief]

38. You have to be depressed to eat an entire jar of Nutella?

Shazam!

[eppur_se_muova]

47. Dude ... that's, like, dessert. :) nt

[wordpix]

55. my 88 y.o. mom w/ advanced Alzheimer's starts her day with it - she hates waiting for breakfast

When she has to wait on an empty stomach, she starts yelling and carrying on. A nurse we work with discovered that Nutella on toast really quiets her down.

[emmadoggy]

66. Shazam, indeed.

[Duer 157099]

41. That little muthafucker CRF1

I knew it. Always was a shady bastard.

[B Stieg]

46. THANK YOU!

[Locut0s]

49. Thanks for the news! Need to look for a better article...

No fault of yours of course, but main stream science reporting is too sensationalist and makes everything look like cure all. But as someone who has suffered with depression and anxiety his whole life I'm excited by the news. I'm on medication right now that I think is helping me. But let's hope they manage to use this to produce something truly effective.

[LongTomH]

51. This may be a bit premature.....See this article from the NHS UK News

Media's talk of a 'misery molecule' is misleading. Some excerpts:

It’s a great headline, but a hugely sweeping claim. This "misery molecule" story is actually based on a complex scientific study looking at the three-dimensional structure of a type of hormone receptor.

..........//snip

With this information, researchers may be better able to create potential drug therapies blocking the effects of CRF1. These could potentially be useful in helping to relieve symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. But research aiming to build on this information is still at a very early stage.

..........//snip

The Sunday Times and the Daily Mail have both overinterpreted the implications of this research. The aim of the study was to examine the structure of a particular type of protein receptor that previous work has suggested is involved in response to stress. They have not discovered a “misery molecule” and its role in stress, depression or anxiety was not directly investigated by this study.

These conditions are complex, and suggesting that there is one single “misery molecule” responsible for them all is a gross oversimplification.

The NHS UK News did say that this discovery could....repeat, could.......lead to 'small molecular drugs' that could target the CRF-1 receptor; but, such drugs "are unlikely to be available soon."

[rhett o rick]

56. Sarah Palin ???

[DirkGently]

58. Go, Science, go!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

63. Aldous Huxley is rolling in his grave.

[emmadoggy]

64. I shit you not -

I was just thinking about how we have a container of Nutella in the pantry and I could really use a spoonful or two.....

[AnotherMcIntosh]

67. Now if they can just find the molecule that causes authoritarianism and authority followers.

[undergroundpanther]

68. I wanna kick

that asshole molecule out of my head or wherever it is 1,000 times or more. I bet it can't feel the pain it causes.

[KansDem]

69. "The study, conducted by drug company Heptares Therapeutics..."

I wonder how much these "small molecule drugs" will cost?

[wordpix]

74. trust me, drug cos. do almost all studies unless they're done by univ's paid by drug cos

or other "outside" researchers paid by drug cos.

[davidpdx]

71. A little off-topic

Anyone who hasn't seen the movie Side-Effects really should.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

72. its no bastard, just a single parent molecule

[Jamastiene]

82. I had hoped the software had forgotten I had Recommended this already.

I came by to try again. I guess I'll just it instead.

"Little Bastard" and "little sh!t" are perfect descriptors for whatever causes depression. I would love to see depression eradicated in my lifetime...in all people. To at least see treatments come about that will help the most people who suffer, and I do mean suffer, from depression would be wonderful.