Some notes about Calcium and bipolar

Mari · 10-11-2006, 12:52 PM

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/b...d9naikhduu5dr6

Quote:

THE ROLE OF GENES AND ENVIRONMENT
...There are other ion channels that may be overstimulated in response to various neurotransmitters. In addition, researchers are also looking at the neurotransmitter dopamine, with is involved in pleasure and reward.

There is also some evidence that vitamin or mineral deficiencies may play a role. In all likelihood, several processes are occurring at once, and not necessarily the same ones individual to individual.

Also, bipolar patients have been shown to have abnormal immune system patterns in mania. Dopamine D2 receptors, which may play a role in bipolar disorder, are also involved in mediating suppression of the immune system.

This is an underdeveloped line of research, but worth mentioning because calcium channels are involved in both bipolar disorder and immune system control. This may offer clues to identifying how bipolar depression occurs and better ways to treat it—current drugs for bipolar depression have strong side effects.

CALCIUM MAKES THE BRAIN STRONG

Interestingly enough, calcium is required not only for normal neurotransmission and smell; it also plays a role in blocking persistent smells. After a few minutes of being exposed to an odor, extracellular calcium enters olfactory neurons and prevents them from sending signals— turning down the volume. It would be interesting to study if the sense of smell differs in bipolar patients.

Calcium channels also play a role in other sensory neurons in the eye and in the ear. Studies in salamanders and mice show that low extracellular calcium increases calcium signaling between neurons in the eye as well as in the nose.

What effect a drop in extracellular calcium would have on vision is uncertain; it cannot be completely bad considering that artists have 20 times the rate of bipolar disorder as the normal population.

Also, at least one type of calcium channel seems to have a role in synchronizing brain cells. A type of epilepsy that sometimes occurs after a stroke has been directly tied to increased extracellular calcium, probably by leakage from dying cells. Epilepsy occurs when a part of the brain strongly synchronizes its firing.

Omega-3 acids, which play a protective role against depression, have recently been shown to control calcium channels and other ion channels also involved in our senses, further suggesting that diet SHOULD play a difference in bipolar disorder management.

http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/b/bipolar.htm

Quote:

What causes it?

There is no clear cause of bipolar disorder. It may be genetic, the result of substance abuse – especially cocaine – or caused by the presence of calcium build-up in the cells.

And this about staying away from calcium supplements.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/C...r_Disorder.htm

Quote:

....Restriction of dietary calcium was reported to alleviate manic episodes in one bipolar patient, and calcium supplementation (approximately 800 mg per day) increased mania symptoms slightly in six manic-depressive patients, according to another uncontrolled report.48
Therefore, if calcium supplementation is desired by people with bipolar disorder, it should be taken with caution.

bizi · 10-11-2006, 04:49 PM

wow!!!
thank you for posting this...I wonder if there have been other studies...and again thanks for posting this!
bizi

waves · 10-12-2006, 10:01 PM

really interesting! thanks!

mymorgy · 10-13-2006, 03:13 AM

thanks for posting the information...really interesting
Bobby

mrsD · 10-13-2006, 09:27 AM

Calcium channels are typically blocked by magnesium ions.

These papers do not address unbalanced calcium intake vs proper magnesium supplements.

NMDA receptors which are pain mediated and calcium driven, are blocked by magnesium.

It is not a simple thing..to only point to calcium.. you cannot live without this, and if you do not consume some, your bones will leach it out, since there is a heirarchy in calcium utilization. The body will take the calcium from bone to run the heart.

Quote:

We don't really know, though we do know that genes predispose people to the illness, and that stress can trigger an episode. One possibility is there is an overabundance of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the synapse (the space between two neurons) due to cortisol, which is secreted as part of the "flight or fight" reaction to stress. The glia - the "other" brain cell - is thought to clear excess glutamate from the synapse, but bipolar patients have a shortage of glia. Glutamate in turn allows calcium to flow through an ion channel penetrating the cell membrane and into the neuron and activates calcium-dependent enzymes inside.

There are other ion channels that may be overstimulated in response to various neurotransmitters. In addition, researchers are also looking at the neurotransmitter dopamine, with is involved in pleasure and reward. There is also some evidence that vitamin or mineral deficiencies may play a role. In all likelihood, several processes are occurring at once, and not necessarily the same ones individual to individual.

from http://www.mcmanweb.com/bpfaq1.htm
Much of the new research is in regards to methylation and bipolar.
http://www.riken.go.jp/engn/r-world/...ics/index.html
By hitting the cause here, at the root, the cascade that follows may be blocked. This is genetically driven, and rather new, and complex as well.

And there are drugs coming in trials now, called ampakines, to address this
glutamate issue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampakines

Given the negative impact of excessive glutamate consumption ..esp monosodium glutamate, anyone with a neuro issue should avoid MSG in
processed foods. This is an artificial glutamate and our bodies cannot
handle it well. MSG is a huge ingredient, in almost everything. Avoid Avoid!

Mari · 12-11-2006, 03:06 AM

Greetings Friends,

I take a Calcium Channel Blocker (Verapamil) for my mood stabilizer, so I am naturally interested in the role that calcium plays in our moods.

Here is a link I found tonight.
This article suggests that we look at the studies and take more magnesium.

It's a pdf file:
http://www.knowledgeofhealth.com/pdfs/Bipolar.pdf
It cites Neuropsychobiology 39:63-70, 1999]

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