nervous system Flashcards
What are 6 factors that neurotransmission can be interfered by?
Synthesis of neurotransmission, storage, release, degradation, changes in number of NT, affinity of receptors
How can dietary levels of tryptophan effect serotonin production?
Tryptophan converts into serotonin, therefore increasing tryptophan will increase serotonin.
What are 5 disorders associated with serotonin imbalances?
Mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic disorders, autism
Explain how stress can effect 5HT uptake.
Stress activates the HPA axis which causes hypersecretion of ACTH and cortisol which alters the chaperone proteins (maintain 5HT uptake), therefore reducing 5HT uptake.
What are some functions (4) of gut 5HT?
Slowed gastric emptying, pancreatic secretion, satiation, pain and discomfort, nausea and vomiting.
What can alter levels of 5HT?
Medication – MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs
Tryptophan rich diets can increase saturation of tryptophan hydroxylase which will increases 5HT?
What are 2 early symptoms and 2 severe symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Early symptoms – muscle cramps, stiffness, tics,
Severe – confusion, fever, agitation, shivering
What is L-tryptophan?
An amino acid which converts to 5HTP, then this converts to 5HT (serotonin)
What are 5 clinical applications of L-tryptophan?
Smoking cessation, PMDD, depression, insominia, ADHD
What are 3 diseases/conditions 5-HTP can help with?
Headache, depression, fibromyalgia
Who should not take 5-HTP?
People who have existing GIT disorders
How is quinolinic acid produced in the body and what does it do?
Quinolinic is a by product of tryptophan catabolism and excitotoxin in the CNS
What are 5 actions of hypericum perforatum (st johns wort)?
Anti-depressant, nervine, anti-microbial, anti-viral, wound healing effects
What are 3 modes of actions for hypericum perforatum as an anti-depressant?
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Suppresses release of IL-6 (this modulates release of cortisol)
Inhibits re-uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
What are 3 side effects of hypericum?
GIT symptoms, paraesthesia, photosensitivity.
Why is hypericum contraindicated with so many medications?
Induces CYP3A4 enzyme activity; same pathway for many medications
What are the actions of saffron?
Anti-depressant, anti-convulsant, anti-alzheimers, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
What are 5 methods to raise serotonin without drugs?
Exercise outdoors, get more sun, positive thinking, yoga and breathing, alpha- lactalbumin (milk) – raises brain tryptophan quickly
What is the function of GABA?
Inhibits pre-synaptic neurotransmitters in brain and retina
How are GABA and glutamate linked?
Glutamate (glutamic acid) is converted into GABA using the enzymes glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)
What are 5 diseases associated with excess glutamate?
Alzherimers, MS, Epilepsy, bipolar, migraine, schizophrenia
What is the difference between GABA high concentration and low concentration?
GABA concentration is high – increases Cl- ion to enter neuron which is inhibitory where when GABA is low it causes Na+ ions to go in neuro which is stimulatory.
How is L-glutamine converted to GABA?
L-glutamine is converted to glutamate (by glutaminase) which is converted to GABA by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)
What nutrients (2) are important for converting L-glutamine to GABA?
Magnesium and B6
What are the 3 catecholamines?
Noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine
What is the function of dopamine?
Inhibits release of prolactin by pituitary; controls locomotion, controls learning, curiosity, emotion, motivation
What disease is associated with decreased levels of dopamine?
Parkinson’s disease
What is the function of acetylcholine?
Learning, memory, cognitive processing, fine motor control
What down regulates brain acetylcholine?
Cortisol by inhibiting acetyltransferase
What are 5 core symptoms of depression?
Irritability, abnormal appetite, sleep disruption, depressed mood, anhedonia (reduce ability to enjoy rewards), difficulty concentrating
What are 5 causes of depression?
Genetic susceptibility, other neurological illness, pharmacologic agents, chronic pain/illness, deleterious effects of cortisol
What is the pathophysiology of depression?
Tryptophan depletion which causes reduced serotonin
High cortisol levels – adrenals have excessive release of CRH which increases ACTH and causes increase cortisol this may cause defects in serotonin transporter
Smaller hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, higher cytokines IL-2 IL-6, TNF-alpha
What drugs can be taken for depression? (3)
SSRIs, MAOIs, tricyclic anti-depressants
What foods should be avoided with MAOIs?
Tyramine foods causes a rise in blood pressure
What is meant by wash out period?
Anti-depressant Drugs can last in the body for 2 weeks after discontinuation
What factors (7) do you need to rule out that may contribute to depression?
Nutrient deficiency, drugs, hypoglycaemia, adrenals, thyroid, allergy, environmental factors, microbial factors
What nutritional aims are appropriate for depression? List 3.
Reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, increase inhibitory NTs – GABA, serotonin, normalize HPA function, reduce excitatory NTs
What is a definition for epilepsy? And what is the aetiology?
Severe convulsion known as seizures that invoke rapid jerking of body’s limbs; neurologic injuries, brain tumours, idiopathic
What is the difference between petit mal seizures and grand mal seizures?
Petit mal – eye and mouth twitching, lapses of conv, couple of seconds
Grand mal – aura before seizure starts, bilateral conversions, loss of consciousness
What is the pathophysiology of epilepsy?
Triggers – stress, diet, toxins, bright light, loud noise
Influx of Ca ions into inner cell membrane
Potentiates excitatory state of nerve cells and neighbouring neurons are affected
What are 4 nutritional therapy considerations for epilepsy?
Removal trigger food – alcohol Regulate blood glucose and insulin Ketogenic diet – be careful and should be monitored Address GABA deficiency Nutrients – B6, magnesium, taurine
What 3 nutrients should be supplemented for epilepsy?
Magnesium, B6, taurine
