[reverett123]

So, in 1995 it was "clearly established" that stress may "directly regulate brain function" and that the effects can be short term and/or long term. But nobody told the neurologists what the endocrinologists knew. And nobody told us.


1: J Psychiatry Neurosci. 1995 Nov;20(5):349-56.

Steroid effects on brain functions: an example of the action of glucocorticoids
on central dopaminergic and neurotensinergic systems.

Rostène W, Sarrieau A, Nicot A, Scarceriaux V, Betancur C, Gully D, Meaney M,
Rowe W, De Kloet R, Pelaprat D, et al.

Inserm U. 339, Hôpital St-Antoine, Paris, France.

It is now clearly established that steroid hormones released from peripheral
endocrine glands may, through specific receptors in the brain, directly regulate
brain function. These effects may be rapid or involve long-term modifications at
the genomic level. Concerning the glucocorticoids, their receptors are found in
most neuronal cells, an observation which can be related to their widespread
effects on neuronal metabolism. Furthermore, glucocorticoids are often related to
stress. We have previously demonstrated that neonatal handling of the rat
prevented excessive endocrine response to stress. In adults, this action appeared
to protect the animal from potential damaging effects of glucocorticoids and from
related impairment of cognitive functions. The effects of glucocorticoids are
thought to involve an interaction of several central neurotransmitter systems.
One such neurotransmitter is neurotensin, a neuropeptide which was reported to be
closely related to central dopaminergic system regulation. This paper presents a
rapid overview of the central effects of glucocorticoids and possible evidence
for the interrelationship between these steroids, dopamine and neurotensin
systems in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. It provides
a new way to approach stress responses and to develop new substances that may
become potential drugs in the treatment of some psychiatric disorders.

PMID: 8527421 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[reverett123]

The last line is the important part. Gingko for acute stress and ginseng for chronic stress. Sounds like a promising combo.

1: J Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Dec;93(4):458-64.

Anti-stress effects of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng: a comparative study.

Rai D, Bhatia G, Sen T, Palit G.

Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

Stress is a global menace fortified by the advancement of industrialization.
Failure of stress management is due to lack of proper evaluation of anti-stress
products. We explored the anti-stress potential of the Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba,
30 mg/kg, p.o.) and compared it with that of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng, 100
mg/kg, p.o.) against acute stress (AS) and chronic stress (CS) models in rats.
Immediately after AS and CS, the rats were sacrificed, and adrenal glands and
stomach were dissected out for weight determination and scoring of the ulcer
index (UI), respectively, as well as changes in biochemical parameters like
plasma glucose (GL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CL), creatine kinase (CK),
and serum corticosterone (CORT) were also estimated. AS significantly increased
UI, adrenal gland weight (AGW), GL, CK activity, and CORT, whereas G. biloba
significantly reduced them. P. ginseng significantly reverted GL and CK activity.
In CS, a significant increase was found in the UI, AGW, CK activity, and CORT
with a decrease in the level of CL and TG. G. biloba did not produce any
significant effect on CS-induced alterations. P. ginseng reduced the UI, AGW,
plasma GL, TG, CK activity, and CORT level significantly. From the above study,
G. biloba is more effective in AS, whereas for CS, P. ginseng will be a better
option. Hence these extracts possess significant anti-stress properties and can
be used for the treatment of stress-induced disorders.

PMID: 14737017 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[aftermathman]

it was a particularly stressful job that sparked my latent PD into life.

Neil.

[K.Ibsen]

I knew that stress was a factor in my ailment long before anyone ever suggested PD. I am a former military officer and had been in very stressful situations during my military career--sometimes life or death sort of situations. When I retired from the military, the stiffness and gait problems started. Very gradually symptoms started to appear that I now know are part of the PD package. Then, after about nine years in my second career in higher education administration, a new boss came in who seemed resolved to make life miserable for me. It was during this stressful time that the PD symptoms really started to affect my life.

The early symptoms came gradually over a long period of time and were tolerable as I gradually adjusted to them. During and after the conflict with my new boss, the problems worsened and they now seem seem to be getting worse at a more rapid rate.

Sinemet helped my gait problem. But this last week I started working again--just two hours a day at first, then I'm supposed to gradually add more hours as I adjust. Unfortunately, I'm back working for the same boss. Remarkably, as I was walking from the parking lot to the office my first day back, the gait problem returned, even though it hadn't bothered me since I started the sinemet.

My conclusion: It's that stress thing again. My experiences tell me that stress is very clearly a major factor that affects how well I feel. It is the main antagonist in the drama I call my life.

Karl

[reverett123]

And it won't get any better. That is, the boss is going to still be an SOB. The traffic is still going to be nasty. The world will continue to turn with no thought of us at all. And continued stress will continue to kill neurons long term and mess up our circuits short term.

So, since the world won't change for us, if we are gonna save our own butts then we have to change either ourselves or our corner of the world. Once we accept the idea that stress is not a symptom but rather a cause, things change and opportunities arise that we didn't have before.

Exercise lowers levels of stress reaction.
Tai chi does too.
Ditto for meditating.
Yoga exercises and breathing techniques.
Biofeedback and hypnosis.
Massage, reiki, bodywork of various types.
Certain music. Nature.
Of course, the job's gotta go.

All those seemed to be ways to manage symptoms when things got bad enough. Now I know that they are things that have the potential to stop PD and just maybe allow me to repair myself. The difference is subtle but huge.