serotonin tagged posts

Scientists find Neurochemicals have Unexpectedly Profound Roles in the Human Brain

Electrodes for brain research
Virginia Tech researchers with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Center for Human Neuroscience Research construct carbon fiber microelectrodes for real-time detection of dopamine and serotonin activity in human patients. The in-house, custom-made electrodes are narrow and used during deep brain stimulation electrode implantation surgeries to measure activity of both dopamine and serotonin in patients. Shown at right in comparison with a paper clip.

Dopamine, serotonin involved in sub-second perception, cognition...

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Put down the Protein Shake: Variety of protein better for health

protein shake
Samantha M. Solon-Biet et al, Branched-chain amino acids impact health and lifespan indirectly via amino acid balance and appetite control, Nature Metabolism (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-019-0059-2

Popular protein great for increasing muscle mass, but could reduce your life-span – researchers say to vary protein intake. Researchers have examined whether there are any ongoing ramifications or potential side-effects from long-term high protein intake or from consuming certain types of amino acids.

Led by academics from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, Professor Stephen Simpson and Dr Samantha Solon-Biet, suggests that while delivering muscle-building benefits, excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may reduce lifespan, negatively impact mood and...

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Rare Cells are ‘Window into the Gut’ for the Nervous System

Highlights •Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are excitable and express voltage-gated ion channels •EC cells use sensory receptors to detect irritants, metabolites, and catecholamines •EC cell activation leads to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent serotonin release •EC cells modulate sensory nerves via serotonin receptors and synaptic connections

Highlights
•Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are excitable and express voltage-gated ion channels
•EC cells use sensory receptors to detect irritants, metabolites, and catecholamines
•EC cell activation leads to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent serotonin release
•EC cells modulate sensory nerves via serotonin receptors and synaptic connections

Cells that alert nervous system to intestinal trouble could provide new target for gastrointestinal treatments. Specialized cells in the gut sense potentially noxious chemicals and trigger electrical impulses in nearby nerve fibers, according to a new study led by UC San Francisco scientists. “These cells are sensors, like a window looking into the contents of the gut,” said James Bayrer, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at UCSF.

Usin...

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Identification of the Neuronal Suppressor of Cataplexy, sudden Weakening of Muscle Tone

External stimulus causing excitement such as laughter by a joke augments the amygdala activity. In narcolepsy patient (left) lacking orexin neurons, activities of the amygdala become excessive, causing cataplexy. In healthy person (right), orexin neurons augment the activities of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, which reduce activities of the amygdala due to increased release of serotonin in the amygdala, which in turn inhibits cataplexy. Credit: Kanazawa University

External stimulus causing excitement such as laughter by a joke augments the amygdala activity. In narcolepsy patient (left) lacking orexin neurons, activities of the amygdala become excessive, causing cataplexy. In healthy person (right), orexin neurons augment the activities of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, which reduce activities of the amygdala due to increased release of serotonin in the amygdala, which in turn inhibits cataplexy. Credit: Kanazawa University

The brain is equipped with sleep mechanism and wakefulness mechanism, which are regulated to be on or off in an adequate manner. It is orexin*1 that is important in regulating this switch...

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