Nuerotransmitters
Everyday
as a person goes about his or her day, there are tiny electric currents
constantly running through the brain. The chemicals are fired off by
what we now know to be called neurotransmitters. Otto Loewi, an Austrian
scientist, discovered the first neurotransmitter in 1921 with an experiment
that involved frogs. Neurotransmitters relay messages across the synaptic
cleft from one neuron to the next. Hyper polarization is when negatively
charged ions enter the neuron, and depolarization is caused when positively
charged ions enter the neuron. When neurotransmitter levels become too
low, they cannot properly create depolarization. Prolonged stress, genetic
predisposition, or low amino acid levels can cause low neurotransmitter
levels. Low neurotransmitter levels do not let enough signals through.
On the other hand, high neurotransmitter levels create an excess of
inappropriate signals.
Excitatory and inhibitory modulators shift electrical potential by changing
the rate of ion transport across the neuronal membrane. Excitatory neurotransmitters
increase the likelihood that a neuron’s signals are sent, while
inhibitory decrease that likelihood. This ensures that important messages
are passed through while the remaining unimportant ones are not. A balance
between the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter systems is necessary
for optimal health. Some of the common inhibitory neurotransmitters,
also known as IPSP, are GABA, Serotonin, Glycine, Agmatine and Taurine.
Some common excitotry neurons, or EPSP, are Norepinephrine, Dopamine,
Aspartic Acid, Histamine, PEA, Glutamine, Glutamate, and Epinephrine.
If the level of one neurotransmitter becomes imbalanced, it can throw
off the balance of many other neurotransmitters, causing a chain reaction
that results in many health problems.
High levels of chronic stress, poor dietary habits, environmental toxins,
biological toxins, and genetics can cause neurological stress. Neuroligical
stress results in imbalanced neurotransmitter levels. Adrenal and sex
hormones can also affect the functions of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters
affect our bodies in three different ways. The first is emotionally,
which involves mood, behavior, and social attitude. Another way is physically,
which includes sleep, cardiac function, metabolism, weight, organs,
and glands. The last way is mentally with things such as learning, focus,
and cognitive functions. There are many different symptoms associated
with neurotransmitter imbalance, these include but are not limited to:
fatigue, chronic muscle and joint pain, inappropriate hunger, food cravings,
irritability, hostility, inability to focus, inability to concentrate,
depression, agitation, excessive body fat, obsessive and compulsive
behaviors, sleep disturbances, physical stress, emotional stress, recurrent
diarrhea, constipation, headaches, and migraines.
The most common neurotransmitter deficiencies include GABA deficiency
(GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain,)
Serotonin deficiency (inhibitory), and Catecholamine Deficiency (excitatory).
GABA Deficiency can cause tense muscles, stress, relaxation problems,
a feeling of being overwhelmed, anxiety, and fear. Serotonin Deficiency
causes depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic, obsessive thoughts
or behavior, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, irritability,
rage, impulsive behavior, insomnia, sleep disturbance, and the craving
of high carbohydrate foods. A Catecholamine Deficiency is linked to
depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, fatigue, poor concentration
and focus, low energy, apathy, and a lack of drive.
There are several different tests that can be conducted to determine
if a person has one or more neurotransmitter imbalances. The first is
the plasma test. However, neurotransmitter levels change quickly in
plasma and can be affected by posture and stress, so this test is slightly
difficult to perform correctly. An indwelling catheter collects the
plasma specimen after the patient has been lying on his or her back,
with arms out and palms up for 30 minutes. The plasma must then be chilled
on ice, centrifuged under refrigeration and delivered frozen. Another
type of test is the platelet test. This requires a whole blood specimen
and a frozen platelet-rich plasma specimen. The easiest and most common
type of test is the urine test, however, there are two variations. The
first is the 24-hour urine test. This test assesses the total output
of neurotransmitters and is risk free. The second type of urine test
only takes two to three hours. Fluctuations due to stress, meals, and
therapies are avoided with this test. The twp to three hour urine test
is done in the morning and is also risk free. The results of this urine
test represent the average neurotransmitter activity during a specific
time period. The urine test is the test most patients opt to have done.
The last test, the Cerebral Spinal Fluid test, has the most risk and
is not recommended. A lumbar puncture is used to collect spinal fluid.
There are many personality disorders related to neurotransmitter levels.
Depression is one of the most common symptoms caused by a neurotransmitter
imbalance, however there are several other causes including family history,
trauma and stress, pessimistic personality, physical conditions, and
other psychological disorders. The reader has learned that neurotransmitter
imbalances can affect physical conditions and cause other psychological
disorders. This is an example of how the imbalance of one neurotransmitter
throws off the balance of another. Stress starts the process and throws
off the first level, and then other levels become unbalanced. Unless
caught, the imbalance will cause more and more stress on the person’s
body. The stress will continue to create even more imbalances.
For a long time depression has been treated psychologically with supportive
counseling to help ease the pain, cognitive therapy to change pessimistic
ideas, and problem solving therapy to change areas of a person’s
life that create stress. Depression is seen as a treatable illness but
in recent years a new, more effective treatment has been found with
neurotransmitters. Low neurotransmitters levels create a lack of stimulus
in the brain, leading to depression. By raising these levels, therefore
recreating a balance in the brain, the patient begins to see changes
in his or her life.
Another disorder currently being treated by adjusting neurotransmitter
levels is autism. Autism involves disturbed sleep, delayed or nonexistent
speech, sensitivity to touch, sound, and taste, the desire to be alone,
tantrums from slight stimulus, and repetitive motions. Opposite of depression,
in autism the neurotransmitter levels are too high. This results in
an overload of signals being sent through the brain. In a sense, the
brain is constantly in overdrive. This explains why people with autism
have extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, and taste. A person without
autism touches something and receives only some of the signals; whereas
a person suffering from autism seems to receive almost all of the signals.
Autism patients receive too much stimulus in their brain. Doctors are
now using vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to increase the inhibitory
neurotransmitters in the brain. An increase of inhibitory neurotransmitters
creates a sense of balance with the overpowering excitatory neurotransmitters
and improves the symptoms of autism.
The study of neurotransmitters is a fairly new concept. There are few
doctors that have heard about it. However, those that have seem to think
it is a very promising treatment, Dr Hemeyer is one of these doctores.
Many diseases and symptoms that are common in a large portion of today’s
population are being traced back to imbalanced neurotransmitter levels.
There are a few things people can do on their own to help keep neurotransmitter
levels straight. This includes taking vitamins and daily supplements
such as amino acids. Today’s research involved in neurotransmitter
levels could significantly decrease many of the personality disorders
and fatigue problems that are common to society.
Brianna Hemeyer
2006
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