nervous system

Question 1

What are 6 factors that neurotransmission can be interfered by?

Answer 1

Synthesis of neurotransmission, storage, release, degradation, changes in number of NT, affinity of receptors

Question 2

How can dietary levels of tryptophan effect serotonin production?

Answer 2

Tryptophan converts into serotonin, therefore increasing tryptophan will increase serotonin.

Question 3

What are 5 disorders associated with serotonin imbalances?

Answer 3

Mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic disorders, autism

Question 4

Explain how stress can effect 5HT uptake.

Answer 4

Stress activates the HPA axis which causes hypersecretion of ACTH and cortisol which alters the chaperone proteins (maintain 5HT uptake), therefore reducing 5HT uptake.

Question 5

What are some functions (4) of gut 5HT?

Answer 5

Slowed gastric emptying, pancreatic secretion, satiation, pain and discomfort, nausea and vomiting.

Question 6

What can alter levels of 5HT?

Answer 6

Medication – MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs

Tryptophan rich diets can increase saturation of tryptophan hydroxylase which will increases 5HT?

Question 7

What are 2 early symptoms and 2 severe symptoms of serotonin syndrome?

Answer 7

Early symptoms – muscle cramps, stiffness, tics,

Severe – confusion, fever, agitation, shivering

Question 8

What is L-tryptophan?

Answer 8

An amino acid which converts to 5HTP, then this converts to 5HT (serotonin)

Question 9

What are 5 clinical applications of L-tryptophan?

Answer 9

Smoking cessation, PMDD, depression, insominia, ADHD

Question 10

What are 3 diseases/conditions 5-HTP can help with?

Answer 10

Headache, depression, fibromyalgia

Question 11

Who should not take 5-HTP?

Answer 11

People who have existing GIT disorders

Question 12

How is quinolinic acid produced in the body and what does it do?

Answer 12

Quinolinic is a by product of tryptophan catabolism and excitotoxin in the CNS

Question 13

What are 5 actions of hypericum perforatum (st johns wort)?

Answer 13

Anti-depressant, nervine, anti-microbial, anti-viral, wound healing effects

Question 14

What are 3 modes of actions for hypericum perforatum as an anti-depressant?

Answer 14

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Suppresses release of IL-6 (this modulates release of cortisol)
Inhibits re-uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine

Question 15

What are 3 side effects of hypericum?

Answer 15

GIT symptoms, paraesthesia, photosensitivity.

Question 16

Why is hypericum contraindicated with so many medications?

Answer 16

Induces CYP3A4 enzyme activity; same pathway for many medications

Question 17

What are the actions of saffron?

Answer 17

Anti-depressant, anti-convulsant, anti-alzheimers, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.

Question 18

What are 5 methods to raise serotonin without drugs?

Answer 18

Exercise outdoors, get more sun, positive thinking, yoga and breathing, alpha- lactalbumin (milk) – raises brain tryptophan quickly

Question 19

What is the function of GABA?

Answer 19

Inhibits pre-synaptic neurotransmitters in brain and retina

Question 20

How are GABA and glutamate linked?

Answer 20

Glutamate (glutamic acid) is converted into GABA using the enzymes glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)

Question 21

What are 5 diseases associated with excess glutamate?

Answer 21

Alzherimers, MS, Epilepsy, bipolar, migraine, schizophrenia

Question 22

What is the difference between GABA high concentration and low concentration?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

How is L-glutamine converted to GABA?

Answer 23

L-glutamine is converted to glutamate (by glutaminase) which is converted to GABA by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)

Question 24

What nutrients (2) are important for converting L-glutamine to GABA?

Answer 24

Magnesium and B6

Question 25

What are the 3 catecholamines?

Answer 25

Noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine

Question 26

What is the function of dopamine?

Answer 26

Inhibits release of prolactin by pituitary; controls locomotion, controls learning, curiosity, emotion, motivation

Question 27

What disease is associated with decreased levels of dopamine?

Answer 27

Parkinson’s disease

Question 28

What is the function of acetylcholine?

Answer 28

Learning, memory, cognitive processing, fine motor control

Question 29

What down regulates brain acetylcholine?

Answer 29

Cortisol by inhibiting acetyltransferase

Question 30

What are 5 core symptoms of depression?

Answer 30

Irritability, abnormal appetite, sleep disruption, depressed mood, anhedonia (reduce ability to enjoy rewards), difficulty concentrating

Question 31

What are 5 causes of depression?

Answer 31

Genetic susceptibility, other neurological illness, pharmacologic agents, chronic pain/illness, deleterious effects of cortisol

Question 32

What is the pathophysiology of depression?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

What drugs can be taken for depression? (3)

Answer 33

SSRIs, MAOIs, tricyclic anti-depressants

Question 34

What foods should be avoided with MAOIs?

Answer 34

Tyramine foods causes a rise in blood pressure

Question 35

What is meant by wash out period?

Answer 35

Anti-depressant Drugs can last in the body for 2 weeks after discontinuation

Question 36

What factors (7) do you need to rule out that may contribute to depression?

Answer 36

Nutrient deficiency, drugs, hypoglycaemia, adrenals, thyroid, allergy, environmental factors, microbial factors

Question 37

What nutritional aims are appropriate for depression? List 3.

Answer 37

Reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, increase inhibitory NTs – GABA, serotonin, normalize HPA function, reduce excitatory NTs

Question 38

What is a definition for epilepsy? And what is the aetiology?

Answer 38

Severe convulsion known as seizures that invoke rapid jerking of body’s limbs; neurologic injuries, brain tumours, idiopathic

Question 39

What is the difference between petit mal seizures and grand mal seizures?

Answer 39

Petit mal – eye and mouth twitching, lapses of conv, couple of seconds Grand mal – aura before seizure starts, bilateral conversions, loss of consciousness

Question 40

What is the pathophysiology of epilepsy?

Answer 40

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

Question 41

What are 4 nutritional therapy considerations for epilepsy?

Answer 41

``` Removal trigger food – alcohol Regulate blood glucose and insulin Ketogenic diet – be careful and should be monitored Address GABA deficiency Nutrients – B6, magnesium, taurine ```

Question 42

What 3 nutrients should be supplemented for epilepsy?

Answer 42

Magnesium, B6, taurine