learning

BERKSHIRE AD/HD RESEARCH GROUP DNA-RESEARCH PROJECT

cont.

Norepinephrine:

This neurotransmitters is a derivative of Dopamine. It energizes, increases feelings of well being, and may reduce compulsive behavior. Low levels may result in low energy and depression. But an excess of norepinephrine may cause anxiety and increase heart rate and blood pressure.

GABA:

GABA is a major inhibitor of neurotransmission. It reduces anxiety. It can elevate an individual's pain threshold, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Neuropeptides:

Neuropeptides are neurotransmitters made from linked amino acids called peptides that are produced in the brain. There are hundreds of them. We re primarily concerned with the opioid peptides commonly referred to as opioids because they are involved with addictive behavior. They are endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins.

Endorphins:

Reduce pain and anxiety and increase the feeling of well being. They stimulate the immune system, and they help you learn. They reduce appetite for drug and alcohol seeking behavior. Endorphins also affect our reaction to light and darkness.

Enkephalins:

When present in sufficient supply, reduce pain and anxiety. They are key neurotransmitters in addictive, impulsive, and compulsive behaviors a shortage increases drug, alcohol, and carbohydrate cravings.

Dynorphins:

Play major role in pain control and help regulate immune response. They stimulate feelings of well being, regulate sexual appetite, and reduce feelings leading to compulsive behavior. Dynorphins also promote emotional balance and enhance mental activity.

Neurotransmitter receptors:

Neurotransmitters seek out and attach to receptors on the neuron. The receptors accept only those chemicals whose molecules have a matching shape. In other words, the neurotransmitters fit into receptors in the same way that a key fits a lock. To complicate matters, however, there are three types of receptors for serotonin, five for Dopamine, four for norepinephrine, two for GABA (with a least twelve subtypes), and five for opioids, plus a number of subtypes. The receptors will also accept ingested chemicals that mimic the natural brain chemicals. For example, nicotine binds to the acetylcholine receptor. LSD binds to the serotonin receptor. Mescaline binds to the Dopamine receptor. Marijuana binds to the THE receptor. Morphine and heroin bind to the opiate receptors.

The Neurotransmitter Cascade:

Neurotransmitters work together in patterns of stimulation or inhibition. The interaction of these natural brain messengers has a powerful effect on our emotions and our thinking processes. The interaction usually begins with just one neurotransmitters and then spreads and involves others in a pattern that resembles a cascade. If the result of the cascade action is pleasurable, Prof Kenneth Blum first termed it the "brain reward cascade". Reward Deficiency: if the normal reward cascade of neurochemicals is interfered with or if regulatory enzymes destroy neurotransmitters before they can cross the synapse to reach the receptors the resulting chemical deficiencies, excesses; or imbalances create discomfort - a reward deficiency. The discomfort takes the form of restlessness, anxiety, difficulty focusing, feeling incomplete and inadequate, or hypersensitivity. In turn, these uncomfortable feelings may get expressed as anger, aggressiveness; shyness; hyperactivity; or defiant behavior.

Undesirable changes in the production of neurotransmitters, resulting in an oversupply or shortage, can be caused by many factors:

In 1990 Prof Kenneth Blum, Ernest Noble, and other colleagues identified a defect in the Dopamine D2 receptor gene that they found to be associated with alcoholism, and that has since been found to be associated with other compulsive and impulsive disorders, including AD/HD. This is not an alcoholism' gene but a gene involving pleasure states in the brain. The defective gene results in a lack of Dopamine receptors, which interferes with the usual neurochemical reward cascade and creates a reward deficiency. The defective gene makes it difficult for neurons to respond to Dopamine, the neurotransmitters involved in feelings of pleasure and regulation of attention. People with the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in most cases born with a reward deficiency. AD/HD is a problem of communication among the neurons.

top | continued | table of contents

home | about me | diagnosis | behaviors | faqs | personal stories | parenting
education | workplace | articles | meds | humor | resources | send page