viernes, abril 20, 2007

El propranolol disminuye la melatonina y podria usarse en depresiones estacionales

Siempre hay que tener en cuenta las interacciones de lo que uno toma y de las sustancias que las drogas tienden a disminuir. En este caso el efecto del propranolol de disminuir la melatonina es probado como tratamiento de la depresión estacional donde se altera la producción de melatonina por falta de luz.

Clinical Trial of Propranolol for Seasonal Affective Disorder

The purpose of this study is to determine what dose of a new timed-release tablet of the drug propranolol will reduce secretion of the hormone melatonin in healthy volunteers. This study will also determine whether suppressing melatonin will improve depressive symptoms in people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD (sometimes referred to as winter depression) is a condition in which people experience depression as a result of seasonal variations in light. Human brains have a circadian pacemaker that regulates many body functions. As the seasons change and light duration varies, the circadian pacemaker regulates seasonal behavior by transmitting a signal of day length to the pineal gland, which secretes the hormone melatonin. Melatonin secretion increases in the winter as the duration of light decreases.

Otros artículos:

El propranolol se absorbe mejor de día.