Aside from theories about its role in causing PD, the hormones associated with stress (cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) are themselves neurotransmitters and so are their breakdown products. Neurologists dismiss the importance of stress because that is the province of endocrinologists. Furthermore, stress can trigger inflammation which involves chemicals called cytokines and they, too, are neuroactive. But they are the territory of the immunologists. We are stuck in the crack between these three disciplines.
And, lest anyone think this is off topic, both conditions open the BBB.
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Originally Posted by K.Ibsen
I too have a normal blood pressure of 90/60 or lower. I ended up with PD anyway. But that doesn't contradict Ron's assertions.
I didn't know that stress can increase the permeability of the BBB. It can sure explain a lot. The idea of leakage of carbidopa and dopamine is also most enlightening. I have told my various doctors for years that stress impacts my symptoms.
Sometimes, I can feel my symptoms get worse as I experience stress. Last week while talking with my psychologist, I became upset about something and within minutes (maybe seconds) I could feel the pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders increase. I even told the doctor. This is a case in point of the fact that stress has been a major part of my experience with PD.
Karl
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