[lawrenman]

Hi all,

I'm trying to determine how bipolar effects the brain. If you look at studies done with medications they seem to know how it works in the brain, but not as much for bipolar.

Is bipolar mania (and subsequent depression) caused from too much dopamine, or too many dopamine receptors, or is it serotonin related?

For my mania, I believe it is purely related to too much dopamine production at once, because my problems seem to most resemble those of people on early stages of meth use. With meth they have determined that it causes extra production of dopamine.

As for drugs, the most effective I have taken is Zyprexa. It seems to do a good job of slowing my mind down to a manageable level. I tried Abilify but I think the side effects were bothersome.

Is there any experts on what bipolar mania is caused by and what causes bipolar depression? I believe bipolar depression develops from overstimulation and subsequent withdraw/decline. I could be wrong.

Wish there was as much study done on bipolar influences in the brain as there is on illicit drugs.

[thickntired]

Hi

I had a manic episode from external issues but then couldn't cone down. The hospital took me off prozac and I was able to come down from the mania. Prozac effects dopamine in the brain so yes I think there could be a connection.

Tnt

[lawrenman]

I've done a good amount of research.

My original mania episode seemed to be caused by too much dopamine and that was my belief going in.

However, I don't want my original assessment to cloud my judgement so I would really enjoy hearing other people's takes on what really causes mania and depression.

[monochromatic]

This is an interesting thread.

There's not much determined about bipolar, is there? Is it a result of not enough research? or just something that's really really tricky to figure out?

[Moose72]

They are looking at genes in the bipolar study I'm in. I wish they'd scan our brains when we're doing tasks or when we're manic or depressed. Hard to pin down and they just missed me being manic, but you get my drift.

[wiretwister]

I take Mirapex which effects nothing but dopamine levels. no mania but an almost tickle feeling. I do not believe dopamine and mania are related but it will brighten your view of life , cheer you up so to speak and that may feel like mania.. just my two cents worth

[BlueInanna]

I want to know what's causing it too. And if mania & depression are causing me brain damage. Episodes seem to be getting worse, or I just don't remember how bad last ones were...

[lawrenman]

Thanks for the replies all.

It seems like the causes for mania/depression could be a number of factors. Maybe in some people its a general up/down. With all neurons firing in mania and none firing in depression...but I would like to know what causes this to happen!