Depression and Genes (blood, America, mission, recall, science)

[Sunstone]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-slg010506.php

Scientists, linking gene with serotonin and depression, offer insights to new treatments

For the more than 18 million Americans who suffer from depressive illnesses, the best pharmacological treatments are those that increase levels of serotonin, the brain chemical that regulates mood, sleep and memory. New research by an international team of scientists, led by Rockefeller University researchers in Paul Greengard's laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, shows that a gene called p11 is closely related to serotonin transmission in the brain -- and may play a key role in determining a person's susceptibility to depression. The newly discovered link between depression and the serotonin system, reported in the January 6 issue of the journal Science, could lead to new treatments for these mental disorders.

"We have shown that a gene called p11 is involved in the multiple complex changes that underlie depression," says Per Svenningsson, a research assistant professor and first-author on the paper. "Our findings demonstrate that patients with depression, and mice that model this disease, have decreased levels of p11 protein, and they suggest that drugs that increase p11 are likely to have anti-depressant properties."


The evidence mounts of a link between depressive disorders and genetics.

[jeffrey]

But would just taking sarotonin help? Would that not be easier?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

But would just taking sarotonin help? Would that not be easier?

I vaugely recall having read somewhere that if you just take serotonin, it's metabolized too quickly to do much good. Has anyone else heard this?

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

But would just taking sarotonin help? Would that not be easier?

Good question.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I vaugely recall having read somewhere that if you just take serotonin, it's metabolized too quickly to do much good. Has anyone else heard this?

That sounds correct, though I couldn't name where I read it.

Great article! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

[Mike182]

nice find sunstone, thanks for sharing

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I vaugely recall having read somewhere that if you just take serotonin, it's metabolized too quickly to do much good. Has anyone else heard this?

Wow, how did I miss this thread :@ !

Yes I have (heard that). Took some time to research this about 5 years ago.

Trytophan (what triggers serotonin)


The blood brain barrier serves as a protection to prevent toxins (and even excessive levels of nutrients which might temporally overwhelm and dysregulate brain function) from entering the brain.

Serotonin by itself cannot penetrate the blood brain barrier, its precursor tryptophan can. Yet the blood brain barrier makes it hard even for brain essential nutrients to enter the brain. Nutrients must be ferried through the blood brain barrier by transport molecules, like passengers on a bus. Unfortunately for the serotonin using nerves, tryptophan must share its "transport bus" with 5 other amino acids, tyrosine, phenylalanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Thus, tryptophan is typically out-numbered about 8:1 in its competition to secure its transport through the blood brain barrier into the brain.

Full Article here-abouts : http://smart-drugs.net/ias-tryptophan-article.htm

Interestingly:

Eating a high protein diet to provide more tryptophan only worsens the problem by even more increasing the intake of the 5 competing amino acids. Ironically, the only dietary strategy that increases brain tryptophan supply is to eat a high carbohydrate diet.

Although I'm sure most of you are already familiar with these: There are always other herbal treatments like St. Johns Wort and 5- HTP (http://www.biosynergy.com/5htp.htm), which also raise the levels of some other chemicals in your brain such as Dopamine.

To raise your serotonin levels without a chemical agent (herbal or synthetic) changing your diet to the one described loosely above really worked for me:

Lots of rice (Basmati is quite flavoursome and goes well with vege curry), plenty of fruit and veg, and lean red meat twice or thrice a week. And LAY OFF THE SUGAR! Guys get candida too, we just don't hear about it . Chocolate can be accepted on religious grounds. Pay attention, you might just learn something :

True inner strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.

So Sayeth the Ancient Sages!

GoodLuck HaveFun

ChrisP

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Wow, how did I miss this thread :@ !

Lots of rice (Basmati is quite flavoursome and goes well with vege curry), plenty of fruit and veg, and lean red meat twice or thrice a week. And LAY OFF THE SUGAR! Guys get candida too, we just don't hear about it . Chocolate can be accepted on religious grounds. Pay attention, you might just learn something :

True inner strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.

So Sayeth the Ancient Sages!

God, I live on basmati and curry LOL. Maybe I should lay off a bit.

Honest, CrisP... great post.