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Nutrition 2 (Semester I) > 10a. Nervous System - Intro > Flashcards

10a. Nervous System - Intro Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the nervous system made up of?

A

Central
Peripheral

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2
Q

What are the key factors affecting NS health?

A

Lifestyle
Nerve cell structure and function
Hormonal and immune
Energy
GI health

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3
Q

What can affect nerve cell structure and function?

A

Cell membrane integrity via EFAs
Myelin
AOs
Minerals
Removal of toxins

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4
Q

How can hormonal and immune affect NS health?

A

Oestrogen
Testosterone
Thyroxine
Cortisol
Adrenaline
Cytokines
Neurotrophic factors

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5
Q

What is the gut brain axis?

A

Bidirectional communication between the central and enteric NS

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6
Q

What connects the gut and brain in the NS?

A

Vagus nerve

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7
Q

What is the Vagus nerve made up of?

A

80% afferent fibres
20% efferent fibres

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8
Q

How do gut microbes interact with the GBA?

A

Modulates NT production e.g. serotonin
Bacterial metabolites e.g. SCFAs support intestinal barrier
Modulation of afferent sensory nerves
BDNF production

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9
Q

How can gut barrier function influence the GBA?

A

Compromised mucosal layer
Activation of pathogens and commensals
Increased permeability of the tight junction
Resulting in metabolic endotoxaemia

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10
Q

What can high levels of LPS be lead to?

A

Neuroinflammation
Depression

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11
Q

What are the key factors influencing general nervous function?

A

Inflammation
Oxidative stress
Toxic load
Decreased expression of neurotrophic factors e.g. BDNF due to stress, ageing, lack of physical activity
Mitochondrial changes e.g. inflammation, ageing, nutritional deficits

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12
Q

What are neurotransmitters?

A

Chemical messengers released from a pre-synaptic terminal
Can cause either an inhibitory or excitatory effect on the post-synaptic cell

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13
Q

What can NT imbalances be the result of?

A

Inadequate nutrition
High stress
Poor digestion health
Toxicity
Drug use
SNPs

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14
Q

What substances does NT synthesis require?

A

Amino acids
Co-factors - B6

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15
Q

Why is methylation important for NTs?

A

Methylfolate for biopterin (BH4 - co-factor for serotonin/dopamine)
SAMe for melatonin/adrenaline

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16
Q

How do we get NT balance?

A

Support reuptake mechanisms
Inactivate and remove used NTs
(enzyme breakdown, diffusion, reabsorption)

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17
Q

What are the key enzymes needed for NT breakdown?

A

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) - breaks down serotonin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine
COMT - breaks down adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine using a methyl group from SAMe

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18
Q

What is serotonin?

A

A monoamine NT produced from tryptophan

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19
Q

What is serotonin produced by?

A

Enterochromaffin cells and bacteria in gut
CNS

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20
Q

What are the functions of serotonin?

A

GI signalling - motility patterns, epithelial secretions
Mood
Appetite
Sleep (melatonin synthesis)
Blood clotting

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21
Q

What is an indicator of serotonin levels on an OAT test?

A

5-HIAA
(metabolite of serotonin)

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22
Q

Sequence of tryptophan to melatonin synthesis

A

Tryptophan - 5HTP - Serotonin - N-Acetylserotonin - Melatonin

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23
Q

Food sources for tryptophan

A

Bananas
Turkey/chicken
Legumes
Pulses
Fish
Oats
Pumpkin seeds
Rice

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24
Q

Co-factors for conversion of tryptophan to 5HTP

A

B3, B6
Vit C
Ca
Fe
Zn
D3
5-MTHF

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25
Enzyme for the conversion of tryptophan to 5HTP
Tryptophan hydroxylase
26
Co-factors for conversion of 5HTP to serotonin
B6 Mg Vit C Zn
27
Enzyme for the conversion of 5HTP to serotonin
Aromatic acid decarboxylase
28
Co-factor for conversion of serotonin to N-Acetylserotonin
Acetyl-CoA (B5)
29
Co-factor for conversion of N-Acetylserotonin to melatonin
SAMe (5-MTHF, B12)
30
Causes and risk factors for low serotonin
Insufficient nutrient status Chronic stress GI dysbiosis Poor digestive health Lack of sunlight Caffeine Long-term alcohol use Being sedentary Statin use Heavy metals Sex hormone imbalances
31
Deficiency in which nutrients can lead to low serotonin
Tryptophan Zn Fe Mg B6 B9
32
What is the mechanism for chronic stress lowering serotonin?
Hyper-secretion of ACTH and cortisol may alter chaperone proteins which maintain 5HT receptor integrity and uptake
33
What is the mechanism for GI dysbiosis lowering serotonin?
Dysbiosis can impact tryptophan metabolism and gut serotonin which in turn can impact brain serotonin metabolism
34
How can lack of sunlight lower serotonin levels?
In periods of darkness, more serotonin is used to synthesise melatonin
35
How does caffeine lower serotonin levels?
Inhibits tryptophan hydroxylase
36
How does being sedentary lower serotonin levels?
Exercise increases serotonin
37
How does statin use lower serotonin levels?
Chronic cholesterol depletion using statins impairs the function and dynamics of serotonin 1A receptors
38
How can heavy metals lower serotonin levels?
Arsenic disrupts serotonin metabolism and can induce neuronal death Mercury inhibits serotonin receptor binding
39
How can sex hormone imbalances lower serotonin levels?
Low oestrogen can lower the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase
40
What is the tryptophan steal?
Enzymes shunt tryptophan to make NAD+ and ATP at the expense of serotonin
41
Which pathway is used to make tryptophan?
Kynurenine
42
What can upregulate the tryptophan steal?
Stress Inflammation
43
What is the by-product of the conversion of tryptophan to NAD+ via the kynurenine pathway?
Quinolinic acid
44
What does quinolinic acid do?
Increases glutamate (excitatory) Hinders neuronal function Causes cell death
45
Which conditions is quinolinic acid linked to?
Neurodegenerative diseases Mood disorders
46
Natural solutions to lowering quinolinic acid neurotoxicity
Catechins EGCG Curcumin Garlic Broccoli sprouts Pomegranate Saffron
47
Examples of SNPs associated with low serotonin
TPH1 TPH2 5-HTT 5-HT1 5-HT2A MAO-A VDR
48
What can a SNP on TPH1 result in?
Effects peripheral serotonin synthesis Constipation (if slow)
49
What can a SNP on TPH2 result in?
Lower CNS serotonin synthesis
50
What can a SNP on 5-HTT effect?
SERT transporters
51
What can a SNP on 5-HT1 and 2A result in?
Reduction in the effects of serotonin
52
What can a SNP on MAO-A result in?
More enzymatic breakdown and lower serotonin
53
What can a SNP on VDR result in?
Lower sensitivity to vit D Less support for serotonin synthesis
54
Which conditions/disorders is low serotonin associated with?
Mood/Anxiety/Panic disorders Insomnia Anger Eating disorders OCD Addictions IBS/constipation Migraines
55
What is glutamate?
Excitatory NT that has a role in memory/learning
56
What is GABA?
An inhibitory NT
57
What are the functions of GABA?
Sleep Relaxation
58
Co-factors for the production of GABA
B6 Zn Mg Vit C
59
Which conditions is excess glutamate associated with?
AZD MS Epilepsy
60
Signs and symptoms of GABA deficiency
Anxiety Insomnia Alcohol craving Carb craving Panic attacks Palpitations Seizures Tinnitus Cold or clammy hands
61
Which enzyme converts glutamate to GABA?
Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)
62
Causes and risk factors for a GABA deficiency
Alcohol - inhibits GAD Co-factor deficiencies - B6, Mg, Zn, vit C Dysbiosis Chronic stress Limited exercise Impaired digestion/absorption
63
How can dysbiosis cause a GABA deficiency?
Several strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium synthesise GABA and influence Vagus nerve activity
64
How can chronic stress reduce GABA activity?
Decreased expression of GAD and GABRA2 receptors
65
Key GABA SNPs
GABRA2 GAD
66
What does a SNP on GABRA2 do?
Lowers sensitivity to GABA - feels like you have less GABA
67
What are people with a GABRA2 SNP likely to do?
Misuse alcohol to get the GABA relaxation effect
68
What does a SNP on GAD1 and 2 do?
Impacts glutamate to GABA synthesis
69
What are the functions of dopamine?
Motor control Reward seeking Motivation
70
Which hormone does dopamine inhibit?
Prolactin
71
Which test is best for looking at dopamine levels?
OAT
72
What is the indicator on an OAT test for dopamine levels?
HVA
73
Stages to making dopamine/adrenaline/noradrenaline
Phenylalanine - tyrosine - L-dopa - dopamine/adrenaline/noradrenaline
74
Co-factors in the conversion of phenylalanine to dopamine
B1, B3, B6 Vit C Fe 5-MTHF
75
Enzymes needed for the conversion of phenylalanine to dopamine
Phenylalanine hydroxylase Tyrosine hydroxylase
76
Signs of dopamine depletion
Rigidity Tremors Bradykinesia
77
What is the drug for treating Parkinson's?
Levodopa
78
Which vitamin is contraindicated for anyone on levodopa?
B6 (converts levodopa to dopamine but it doesn't cross BBB, losing its effect)
79
Which food ingredient increases dopamine release?
Sugar
80
Which conditions are low levels of dopamine associated with?
Anxiety/depression Low libido Restless leg syndrome
81
Which conditions are high levels of dopamine associated with?
OCD Hyperactivity
82
Causes and risk factors of dopamine imbalances
Insufficient dietary intake of phenylalanine/tyrosine/co-factors Poor digestion/absorption Chronic stress - increases adrenaline Sleep deprivation - downregulates DA receptors High sugar diets High saturated fat diets Recreational drug use Poor gut health/dysbiosis
83
Why can poor gut health/dysbiosis lead to a dopamine imbalance?
50% of dopamine produced in GIT (enteric neurons, epithelial cells, bacteria)
84
Key SNPs for a dopamine imbalance
TH MTHFR COMT MAOB
85
What does a SNP on TH do?
Increases TH activity = increased DA Good for cognition Bad as could = excess DA
86
What does a SNP on MTHFR do for dopamine?
Reduces methylfolate which can impact dopamine synthesis
87
What does a SNP on COMT do for dopamine?
Breaks down DA Fast COMT lowers DA Slow COMT increases DA
88
What does a SNP on MAOB do for dopamine?
Breaks down DA more slowly
89
What is acetylcholine?
Major NT in the PSNS Anti-inflammatory in brain
90
What are the main functions of acetylcholine?
Mood Memory Learning
91
What is acetylcholine formed from?
Acetyl-CoA Choline (dietary)
92
What can downregulate acetylcholine?
Cortisol (inhibits acetyltransferase)
93
Key food sources of choline
Eggs Chickpeas Oranges Cauliflower
94
What are the amino acids needed to produce taurine?
Methionine Cysteine
95
What are the functions of taurine?
GABA agonist Glutamate antagonist
96
What is the co-factor needed to make taurine?
B6

Nutrition 2 (Semester I) (15 decks)

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