what is neurogenesis and does prozac stimulate this process?
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Neurogenesis (birth of neurons) is the process by which neurons are created. Most active during pre-natal development, neurogenesis is responsible for populating the growing brain.\n\nNew neurons are continually born throughout adulthood in predominantly two regions of the brain:\n\nThe sub-ventricular zone lining the lateral ventricles, where the new cells migrate to the olfactory bulb via the Rostral Migratory Stream \nThe dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. \nMany of these newborn cells die shortly after their birth, but a number of them become functionally integrated into the surrounding brain tissue.\n\nAdult neurogenesis has been the subject of an historical dogma, and only recently has its existence been largely accepted by the scientific community. While it is reasonably well-accepted that hippocampal neurogenesis does occur (see for example Eriksson et al., 1998; Gould et al., 1999a), some authors (particularly Elizabeth Gould) have suggested that adult neurogenesis may also occur in other areas including human neocortex (e.g., Gould et al., 1999b; Zhao et al., 2003). Others, including Rakic (2002), have questioned the scientific evidence of these findings; in the broad sense, they suggest that the new cells may be glia.\n\nThe function of adult neurogenesis is not certain [1] - although there is good evidence that hippocampal adult neurogenesis is important for learning and memory. This is perhaps unsurprising given what we know of the hippocampus and its role in learning and memory (several authors, including, for example, Rolls & Treves (1998) have postulated integrated theories for the role of hippocampus in learning and memory). Gould et al. (1999c) have demonstrated that the act of learning itself is associated with increased neuronal survival.\n\nMalberg et al. (2000) [2] and Manev et al. (2001) [3] have linked neurogenesis to the beneficial actions of certain antidepressants, suggesting a connection between decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and depression. In a subsequent paper, Santarelli et al. (2003) demonstrated that the behavioural effects of antidepressants in rats did not occur when neurogenesis was prevented with x-irradiation techniques. Very recent papers have linked together learning and memory with depression, and have suggested that neurogenesis may promote neuroplasticity. For instance, Castren (2005) has proposed that our mood may be regulated, at a base level, by plasticity, and so chemistry; for instance, the effects of antidepressant treatment is only secondary to this.\n\nVarious other factors may increase or decrease rates of hippocampal neurogenesis. Even voluntary exercise (e.g., Bjornebekk, Mathe & Brene, 2005) seems to promote their survival and successful integration into the existing hippocampus. On the other hand, stimuli such as chronic stress can decrease their proliferation. The link between stress, depression, and the hippocampus is well-documented (e.g., Lee et al., 2002; Sheline et al., 1999).\n\n J Neurosci. 2000 Dec 15;20(24):9104-10. Related Articles, Links  \n\n \nChronic antidepressant treatment increases neurogenesis in adult rat hippocampus.\n\nMalberg JE, Eisch AJ, Nestler EJ, Duman RS.\n\nLaboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut 06508, USA.\n\nRecent studies suggest that stress-induced atrophy and loss of hippocampal neurons may contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antidepressants on hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult rat, using the thymidine analog bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a marker for dividing cells. Our studies demonstrate that chronic antidepressant treatment significantly increases the number of BrdU-labeled cells in the dentate gyrus and hilus of the hippocampus. Administration of several different classes of antidepressant, but not non-antidepressant, agents was
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There are a number of theories, but the short answer is "nobody knows".  Could be establishment of new synapses, could be changes in receptor sensitivity, could even be new neurons stimulated to develop, but at this point, we dont have any real idea.
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OK....time to take your Prozac
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Taking prozac should have no effect on blood pressure. I take prozac and my pressure has not risen.  It takes about 3 or 4 weeks before the medication takes affect.
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The biggest revolution in all of medicines in the 1980's was Prozac.  It was the first safe anti-depressant and spawned a HUGE market for psychoactive drugs.
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Hi, I can totally sympathize with your dilemma.  Prozac, the medication, causes a depressed person, who may not have been taking great care of themselves to have an appetite again.  In other words, it increases your appetite.  I take a med that does the same thing.  I know that when my brain says I am hungry, it is lying to me, so I portion my food, and eat sensibly.  If I go out to eat, I eat only half of what is on my plate, asking for a "doggie bag" up front and removing the other half before I eat.  Then I don't gain weight.  I have been on Prozac.  It was a good medication for the time I was on it.  Other things came along and it lost its effectiveness.  Just a suggestion to be ever mindful that the side-effects may be less horrible than the alternative, but if they are too hard to live with, tell your doctor right away, don't stop taking them, and have your doctor switch you to something else.
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Both:\n\nNeurotransmitters bond to activation sites to stimulate gates to open to pass on a signal along a signal transdunction line. Then the neurotransmitters break apart and inhibit the signal from going past the synapse. However, they are mainly stimulatory, since the only way they inhibit a signal is by breaking apart. So i guess i would actually say they stimulate gates to open
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I don't know about Prozac specifically, but I would worry about taking any drug for that long, unless it was something like blood pressure medication, where there is simply no choice.  Do you feel you can get a second opinion on this without damaging the relationship you have built up with your doctor?  You might go so far as to ask him whether he would be offended if you wanted a second opinion.  Most doctors don't mind that at all, because they expect to be confirmed.  \n\nThe other thing you should probably do is read the formal drug information on the Prozac which the manufacturer puts in every package.  Look for "long term effects," and for any "contraindications."  I would hope that, in the last nine years, you have already read this information, but it is worth it to review it now.\n\nI would talk to a neurologist if you do go for a second opinion.  If the Prozac is going to do you any harm, I would think that is the place where it would happen.
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it's suppose to help you feel better but it takes time. chemical imbalance is a hard thing to fix and people are miserable because of it. suicidal thoughts and depression are just a way for your brain to try to figure out the best possible solution to get out of the feeling. instead of taking Prozac, try instead St. John's Wort.  it's more natural because it's a weed so you have less man-made crap in your system. and St. John's works faster because it is natural your body can "soak" it up better.  I was on Prozac 15 years ago and found that I only felt "blah" so I didn't take them for long.  the St. John's you feel better and don't get the "blah" existence going.
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its in the synapse\n\nNeurotransmitters bond to an enzyme and open gates to continue the impulse along the nerves\n\nsee campbellbiology.com
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Fluoxetine, Prozac and something long.
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Prozac has many side effect.  Loss of sexual drive, weight gain, paranoia (rare).  Any pharmacist can give you a print out.  Likewise, the net offes many sites to help.  \n\nI've included one link below.
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neurons are made of molecules  ( which are made of atoms ) but the activity is not on that level ( you might as well ask about the molecules in an extension cord )
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The prozac might not be working for you, it doesn't for everyone.  Go back to your GP and he'll change them for you.\n\nIt's positive that you are putting the welfare of your son as a high priority, that's a really good sign.\n\nPost natal depression is different from clinical depression too, it responds better from different treatments.\nTry typing it into a search engine.\n\nAs maybe a later reesort, you could try CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy.  CBT is pretty intence, it makes you really analyze yourself, and while the end results can be amazing it's a difficult process to put yourself through.\n\nTry to remember honey, while I'm not trying to patronise your misery, millions of women havve survived pnd and you can too, you'll be on the road to enjoying your sons early years before you know it.\n\nI'd definately get off prozac and try something else though.
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It is unknown where in the brain dreams originate — if there is such a single location — or why dreams occur at all. However, there are many competing theories of the neurology of dreams.\n\nDuring a typical lifetime a person spends about 6 years dreaming[1] (which is about 2 hours each night[2]).\n\nThe activation synthesis theory developed by Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley asserts that the sensory experiences are fabricated by the cortex as a means of interpreting random signals from the pons. They propose that in REM sleep, the ascending cholinergic PGO (ponto-geniculo-occipital) waves stimulate higher midbrain and forebrain cortical structures, producing rapid eye movements. The activated forebrain then synthesizes the dream out of this internally generated information. They assume that the same structures that induce REM sleep also generate sensory information.[3] Memory, attention and the other features lacking in the dream state are taken to depend on the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin, which are present in reduced concentrations during REM sleep. This chemical change is hypothesized to produce a psychotic state, as well as a lack of orientation.
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Each of these drugs has almost identical pharmacological action (inhibiting the serotonin transporter) and equal efficacy in terms of achieving remission in major depression and other disorders. They all have very distinct chemical structures. The differences in chemical structure give each drug a unique profile in terms of receptor binding, pharmacokinetics (how the drug is metabolized) and side-effect profile. So the question arises, which one is the best? Since we all have different genetics and psychology, answering this question can be difficult: the Prozac that made you nauseated and lethargic made the other guy feel like a million bucks. We can never know how a drug will affect us until we try it. However, one thing we can do is review the in vitro and clinical data to predict which drug is best suited for you as an individual, taking into account the interests and lifestyles of athletes and others concerned with fitness and health.
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Prozac is a depression medicine. People take it for depression, bipolar, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, and other mental illnesses. it is also called a happy pill. Here are the side effects.\n\nAnxiety or nervousness; decreased appetite; diarrhea; drowsiness; headache; increased sweating; nausea; tiredness or weakness; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping \n\nLess Common or Rare Side Effects:\n\nCheck with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:\n\nAbnormal dreams; change in sense of taste; changes in vision; chest pain; constipation; dizziness or lightheadedness; dryness of mouth; feeling of warmth or heat; flushing or redness of skin, especially on face and neck; frequent urination; hair loss; increased appetite; increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight; menstrual pain; stomach cramps, gas, or pain; vomiting; weight loss; yawning\n\nAlways Notify Doctor:\n\nMore Common: Decreased sexual drive or ability; inability to sit still; restlessness; skin rash, hives, or itching\n\nLess Common: Chills or fever; joint or muscle pain\n\nRare: Breast enlargement or pain; convulsions (seizures); fast or irregular heartbeat; purple or red spots on skin; symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), including anxiety or nervousness, chills, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty in concentration, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, shakiness or unsteady walk, or unusual tiredness or weakness; symptoms of hyponatremia (low blood sodium), including confusion, convulsions (seizures), drowsiness, dryness of mouth, increased thirst, lack of energy; symptoms of serotonin syndrome, including diarrhea, fever, increased sweating, mood or behavior changes, overactive reflexes, racing heartbeat, restlessness, shivering or shaking; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity you cannot control; trouble in breathing; unusual or incomplete body or facial movements; unusual secretion of milk, in females \n\nWithdrawal Effects - Notify Doctor\n\nAnxiety; dizziness; feeling that body or surroundings are turning; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; nausea; sweating; unusual tiredness or weakness \n\nOverdose Effects - Notify Doctor:\n\nMay be more severe than side effects occurring at regular doses, or several may occur together:\n\nAgitation and restlessness; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness; fast heartbeat; nausea and vomiting; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity you cannot control; trembling or shaking\n\nOther side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients taking Prozac. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.