Posted by karaS on September 22, 2004, at 10:27:53
In reply to Re: Staying up all night as AD-raybakes? Larry? any? » karaS, posted by raybakes on September 22, 2004, at 5:56:08
> In line with my belief that depression is largely an inflammatory disease, found this on cortisol's anti inflammatory effects..
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> In response to an infection, or an inflammatory disorder like rheumatoid arthritis, cells of the immune system produce three substances that cause inflammation: interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). These substances, working either singly or in combination with each other, cause the release of CRH. IL-6 also promotes the release of ACTH and cortisol. Cortisol and other compounds then suppress the release of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF, in the process switching off the inflammatory response.
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> So inflammatory cytokines trigger the release of cortisol, which then, rather neatly, switches them off.....but only if the cortisol can cross the blood brain barrier efficiently, and reach the hypothalamus. I wonder if this feedback is hindered in any way (poor cell membrane response, maybe helped by omega 3s?), whether a massive hit of cortisol from sleep deprivation, can hit the off switch for a little while, suppressing inflammation and relieving depression?
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> this scientific american article seems an interesting read...
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> http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/mind_body.pdf
Interesting. I always thought that high cortisol was associated with depression but I really have to do a lot of studying of the HPA axis. I haven't read the article yet (have to head out soon) but it seems that it's conjecture at this point as to why staying up all night would ease depression - but that it's cortisol related.
My theory was that staying up all night was preventing reuptake of neurotransmitters. Guess I was way off.
Would this also explain the feeling of being so lethargic and super depressed when sleeping more than 8 hours? I am especially sensitive to this. A little extra sleep (even if it's for catch-up) makes me into one horribly depressed zombie.
Also, how does your theory of inflammation being at the root of depression correlate with the use of antidepressants? If your theory is correct, then shouldn't antidepressants be useless? (probably I just don't know enough to understand the connection)
Kara
poster:karaS
thread:391316
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040901/msgs/393658.html