This section provides new and relevant articles regarding topics related to brain chemistry as well as overall health. The sources below do not reflect the opinions or views of Neurogistics Corporation. They are provided to share the most up-to-date information in topics related to healthy brain chemistry.
July 14, 2010
Obesity Harms Women's Memory and Brain Function, Study Finds, Science Daily
Yet another negative health effect has been linked to obesity, this time reducing healthy brain function. The study conducted by Northwestern Medicine suggests that the location of body fat (hips or belly) can predict how the brain will be affected by being overweight. Women who carried thier weight around the hips (pear-shaped) were more likely to experience memory and brain deterioration.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714112832.htm
September 16, 2008
Low B12 Linked to Brain Atrophy, Medpagetoday.com
In the September 9th issue of Neurology, researchers collected more data highlighting the importance of the B-vitamins, specifically B12. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in many biochemical processes in the body, including the formation of S-adenosylmethionine. Deficiency of S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl donor in the brain, is linked to brain atrophy. Although the study did not analyze cognitive decline, it is more evidence noting the importance of the B-Vitamins for maintaining a healthy brain.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/GeneralNeurology/tb/10835
August 21, 2008
Addiction Drug Reverses Obesity in Rats, Newsdaily.com
While researching the epilepsy drug Vigabatrin for use in addiction disorders, scientists found the drug induced weight loss in rats who were genetically altered to be obese. The drug works by blocking the reward cascade associated with Dopamine, which is triggered by drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. This same Dopamine-reward response occurs when obese individuals overeat or binge. Although the article does not address long term effects of dopamine deprival, this is further evidence underlining the importance of having healthy brain chemistry.
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n19316009-obesity-drug/
August 20, 2008
Dopamine fends off ZZZZ’s, ScienceNews.org
Dopamine, the 'feel good neurotransmitter,' is commonly associated with addiction issues, but new research supports the idea that Dopamine may increase when the brain is sleep deprived, keeping the individual more awake. This article discusses the research published in the Aug. 20 Journal of Neuroscience, where researchers show that Dopamine is very much a part of the sleep/wake cycle. However, too much Dopamine can have negative effects on focus and concentration, making it very important to have just the right balance.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/35529/title/Dopamine_fends_off_zzzzz%E2%80%99s
August 19, 2008
Sleep Quality and Elevated Blood Pressure in Adolescents, Circulation
Sleep is known to be incredibly important for optimal health, but did you know that lack of sleep can leave you and your teens at risk for high blood pressure? A recent study in Circulation revealed the correlation between poor sleep habits and increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers conclude a minimum of 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep is needed per day to prevent these documented trends.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.766410v1
July 31, 2008
Research Explores Role GABA Receptors May Play in Postpartum Depression, Neuron
A study released in the July 31 reports that hormones released during pregnancy can affect GABA receptor levels in mice. The mice that exhibited depression and anxiety symptoms after giving birth were shown to have lower levels of GABA receptors in the nervous system, induced by pregnancy related hormone changes. This may explain why certain women experience postpartum depression, and shows the importance of having healthy brain chemistry especially during and after pregnancy.
July 7, 2008
Study Suggests Serotonin Imbalance May be Linked to SIDS.
This very interesting article links the neurotransmitter Serotonin to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. The study was published in the July 4th issue of Science, and highlights how imbalances in Serotonin may weaken a baby’s ability to respond to inadequate oxygen when lying on their belly.
May 14, 2008
Genetic Molecular Factors in Depression, United Press International
Research shows the connection in the severity of depression and the number of Serotonin receptors in the brain. These findings may also help determine the best treatment for depressed patients based on their genetic make-up.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/05/13/genetic_molecular_factors_in_depression/7330/
May 12, 2008
Are Anxiety Disorders All in the Mind? ScienceDaily.com
Researchers in the Netherlands were able to find that if the dopamine and serotonin in ones brain are out of balance, messages cannot get to the brain properly; leading to anxiety. Using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512105719.htm
May 8, 2008
Weight-loss drugs may harm developing brain: study, Yahoo.com (reuters)
By: Julie Steenhuysen
A Recent study suggests the use of a popular weight loss drug called rimonabant may cause negative developmental effects on the brain in children. In a related study last month, researchers found that more than 40% of obese adult patients who took the drug developed pschiatric disorders.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080507/hl_nm/obesity_drugs_dc
May 7, 2008
CDC: Sleep Habits Linked to Health, Time.com
By: Mike Stobbe
The Centers for Disease Control reports that poor sleep habits (less than 6 hours per night) are correlated with appetite inducing hormone imbalances, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1738116,00.html
May6, 2008
The Science of Appetite, Time.com
By: Jeffrey Kluger
Recent research suggests some very interesting neuro-chemicals may be responsible for our insatiable appetites. Scientists are studying ways in which to stimulate these faulty neurocircuits to restore healthy appetites and proper neurocommunication.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1626795_1627112_1626670-1,00.html
May 1, 2008
Stigma Keeps Troops From PTSD Help, Time.com
By: Kathleen Kingsbury
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains to be one of the long term affects on soldiers once they return home from overseas. Left untreated, PTSD can cause neurotransmitter depletions, resulting in further psychiatric disorders. Sadly, many soldiers fear social stigmas and negative impacts on their career, should they seek help. This article discusses this situation and a recent report released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1736618,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-healthsci
April 29, 2008
Memory Training Shown to Turn Up Brainpower, New York Times online.
Until recently, it was believed that your intelligence aptitude was a genetically determined trait. However, research now suggests that intelligence is very closely related to memory, and that one can actually retrain neurocircuitry pathways and increase intelligence.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/health/research/29brai.html?_r=1&ref=research&oref=slogin
April 25, 2008
Pediatricians Should Screen Moms for Domestic Violence, MedPage Today
By: Todd Neale, Reviewed by: Robert Jasmer, MD
Children who witness domestic abuse have a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, aggression, and poor academic performances. Leading researcher Megan Bair-Merritt, M.D., and colleagues of John Hopkins, reported in the Journal of Pediatrics that more than half of abused women surveyed indicated that at least one child had been exposed domestic violence and the impact this makes in later in their lives.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DomesticViolence/tb/9251
April 23, 2008
Anti-addiction drugs linked to depression, CNN.com
New research suggests the new medications aimed at helping fight addictive disorders such as smoking and obesity may increase the risk of depression and suicide. This article discusses these meds such as the famous stop-smoking drug ‘Chantix,’ and suggests their mechanism of blocking pleasure receptors may be too much for long term use.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/04/23/super.pills.ap/index.html
April 22, 2008
New Guidelines Urge Heart Tests Before Kids Take ADHD Drugs, The Wall Street Journal Online
By: Ron Winslow
According to new recommendations by the American Heart Association, children who are diagnosed with ADHD should have a thorough heart work-up, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), before taking stimulant medications.
April 21, 2008
2008 Children's Nutrition Survey Reveals Majority of U.S. Parents Unaware of DHA Benefits to Children's Health, PR Newswire
Stremicks Heritage Foods (TM) announced the results of their 2008 Child Nutrition Survey, which indicates that the majority of U.S. parents are not aware of the important benefits of DHA in the development of children. Other statistics were also mentioned in regards to children's supplements.
http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20080421/LAM009A21042008-1.html
March 3, 2008
What Addicts Need, Newsweek.com
By: Jeneen Interlandi
This article evaluates the causes and potential treatments surrounding addiction. Vaccines are being proposed as another form of treatment to address addiction.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/114716
