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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 20:44:04
http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v417/n6886/abs/417292a_fs.html
Anyone prepared to believe that inisotol has ties to depression?
Shawn
Posted by jaby on July 18, 2002, at 21:44:28
In reply to Inisotol linked to bipolar disorder, posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 20:44:04
Control of inositol is proposed to be the major mechanism by which many mood stabilizers work. I think a study proposed this to be the case for lithium, depakote, and topamax. That study may have been the link you sent already though (it didn't work)
> http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v417/n6886/abs/417292a_fs.html
>
> Anyone prepared to believe that inisotol has ties to depression?
>
> Shawn
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 23:24:08
In reply to Inisotol linked to bipolar disorder, posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 20:44:04
I'm not going to answer another question about SSRI's or tricyclics; these drugs are anything but selective. Don't take St. John's Wort. Don't take MAOI's. Don't take 5-HTP (I'm reversing myself on this). Don't take trycyclic antidepressants. I fear that I might have to give up my iron grip on Remeron someday (although I'm sure 7.5mg/day is helping me). Benzo's are just as bad as barbituates. If you can't go to sleep, try melatonin instead of something that is going to kill your memory. These drugs are anything but selective, as in NOT SELECTIVE! I'm fed up with the health care system in general. Who is in charge here?
What do we need to effectively treat depression? A drug with 5-HT2a agonism mixed with 5-HT2c agonism a la meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP)
perhaps. We could add on 5-HT1a antagonism to prevent excess hormone excretion. Perhaps a 5-HT2a/c agonist in rotation with a 5-HT2a/c antagonist and 5-HT1a agonist? My reasoning concerning the previous statement revolves around the fact that the receptors will adjust their sensitivity in response to the drugs (they will not up or down regulate). I don't expect everyone to ingest eighteen grams of inisotol a day! There has to be a way around antidepressant poop-out (loss in efficacy). Perhaps my idea would help?There's a massive amount of information about bipolar disorder contained in the links given. I now realize why drugs like Zyprexa (I'm not endorsing that drug) work for bipolars. 5-HT2c antagonism is the key for bipolars. Perhaps 5-HT2a antagonism is important as well.
I am definitely starting to notice a pattern. Depression & anxiety are related to a genetically determined excess of 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c receptors.
SSRI's and the like make these receptors more sensitive (albeit in a crude fashion). Some people with depression or anxiety symptoms have an uncommonly small number of 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c receptors. People with bipolar disorder probably have too few 5-HT2c (5-HT2a?) receptors. They cycle because of changes in the sensitivity of their 5-HT2c receptors. I would guess that people with ADHD have too few 5-HT2c receptors as well (but not as few as seen in bipolar perhaps). Once again, I am only speculating on ADHD (I will read up on that sometime).
"Biochemical functions defined for phosphatidylinositol in biological membranes include the regulation of cellular responses to external stimuli and/or nerve transmission as well as the mediation of enzyme activity through interactions with various specific proteins."
It's all coming together; the body is amazingly complex. I quoted that because it shows the link between inisotol and enzyme activity.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9855568&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247These are some amazing times that we live in.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9203091&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247"Defining the neuromolecular action of myo-inositol: application to obsessive-compulsive disorder."
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11853115&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Adenylate cyclase, inisotol and serotonin.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=8021439&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247
Depression linked to Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9694526&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=2475-HT receptors are *not* homogeneous!
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=24213838On the "genetic origin" of depression, etc.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=25005355Read the next two together.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=1350770&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=1847229&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Some information about alpha-1-adrenergic actions.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=1666557&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inisotol and OCD.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11267629&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inositol and bulimia.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11262515&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247
Inositol v. Fluvox for PD.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11386498&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247I think I'll take a stretch break.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=1317961&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247How to discriminate for the placebo effect.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=7622343&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Higher levels of monoamines probably unnecessary to treat depression, others.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=10647093&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Please don't take too much calcium.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=8143920&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Take calcium supplements if you're afraid that your transporters might be "broken."
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11245676&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Yes, calcium is very important.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11196578&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247More on calcium.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11086997&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247A bit on calcium and inisotol.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9874373&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247How to tell if you need inisotol/lithium.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=10907738&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inisotol in humans.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9169302&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inisotol comparable to imipramine.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=7675981&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247More on inisotol in animals.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11172878&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inisotol and lithium, seizures, anxiety.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=11122916&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247More on lithium.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9674936&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Beyond lithium for bipolars.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=10445037&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247More on lithium and its alternatives.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=8836446&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Myo-inisitol for depression, OCD, PD.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9784079&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=2475-HT2C agonism and depression.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9694950&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Inisotol and OCD.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=8780431&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247What exactly is that fish oil doing?
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=8381824&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247I've really got to start reading more about cancer; this is hard to follow but important.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9381980&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247More on adrenergic processes.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=2551395&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247I still don't like tricyclics.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=2138225&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247Sort of dull reading material.
http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/detail.asp?NameID=9203370&loggedusing=M&Session=&SearchQuery=depression+AND+inositol&count=247What a nice site, really.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/5ht2arev.htmThis one is very useful as well.
http://www.pharmcentral.com/This one too.
http://www-np.unimaas.nl/PsyPharm/postersBAP/posterwim.html
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 19, 2002, at 2:28:11
In reply to Re: Inisotol linked to bipolar disorderShawn, posted by jaby on July 18, 2002, at 21:44:28
Yes, I wish I could read the full thing. You have to register just to see the description of the study I think. Maybe I'll try to find a way to pay for it. I'd love to see what they had to say. I'm usually only going from abstracts; I read so many all the time that paying to read every one would be difficult. If information in one of those studies is contrary to what I have said, I'd like someone to correct me.
Shawn
Posted by turalizz on July 19, 2002, at 5:25:18
In reply to Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc., posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 23:24:08
> Don't take MAOI's.
I disagree. Moclobemide is the best thing ever happened to me. It works perfectly for atypical depression, social phobia; it increases sex drive, enhances cognitive functions. No withdrawal syptoms, little side effects (only some insomnia that went away). I'd also say good things about selegiline, in the MAO-B selective dose range too.
Here is my daily med regimen. Any comments apreciated.
Morning: 500mg l-phenylalanine
After breakfast: 150mg moclobemide, 800mg piracetam, a multi-vitamin, 10mg vinpocetine
After lunch: 150mg moclobemide, 2.5mg selegiline, 800mg piracetam, 10mg vinpocetine, 200IU vitamin E, 1 - 2 gr Omega-3 fish oil
Before dinner: 400mg calcium, 150mg magnesium, 5mg zinc.I am also planning to add 10 - 50 mg DHEA and CoQ10. I am 27 years old male.
thanks,
cem
Posted by katekite on July 19, 2002, at 9:57:18
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc. » Shawn. T., posted by turalizz on July 19, 2002, at 5:25:18
Inositol
Inositol functions very closely with another B-complex vitamin, choline. Because it is not essential in the human diet, it cannot be considered a vitamin. It is a fundamental ingredient of cell membranes and is necessary for proper nerve, brain, and muscle function. Inositol is lipotropic, and works in conjunction with folacin, Vitamins B-6 and B-12, choline, betaine and methionine to prevent the accumulation of fats in the liver. It exists as the fiber component phytic acid, which has been investigated for its anti-cancer properties. Inositol is primarily used in the treatment of liver problems, depression, panic disorder, and diabetes. Studies of inositol as a treatment for liver disorders are forthcoming.Inositol compounds have demonstrated stunning qualities in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Inositol can increase the differentiation and normalization of cancer cells, according to recent research. The abundance of inositol hexaphosphate in fiber may explain in part why high-fiber diets are associated with a lower incidence of certain cancers.1
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and acetylcholine in the brain depend on inositol to function properly. Low levels of this nutrient may result in depression. Boosting inositol levels appears to be a promising treatment for depressive conditions. Its effect on depression led to a study designed to test its effectiveness against panic disorder. The 1995 study reported that inositol can reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks in patients with panic disorders.2
Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disease caused by diabetes. The loss of inositol from the nerve cell is a major cause of the decreased nerve function. Researchers found in 1983 that inositol supplements may improve nerve conduction velocities in diabetics. This condition may be treated partially, though not exclusively, by inositol supplements.3
1 Shamsuddin AM, Journal of Nutrition, 1995;125 (suppl):725S-32S.
2 Benjamin J, et al., Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorder. Am J Psychiatry 152, 1084-1086, 1995, as cited in Podell, R, Inositol found effective for depression and panic-anxiety, NFM's Nutritional Science News, 1996; 1:8, 18.
3 Gegerson G, Harb H, Helles A, and Christensen J, Oral supplementation of myoinositol: Effects of peripheral nerve function in human diabetics and on the concentration in plasma, erythrocytes, urine and muscle tissue in human diabetics and normals. Acta Neurol Scand 67, 164-171, 1983.
This information is from: http://www.healthhelper.com/vitamins/vitamins/inositol.htm
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 19, 2002, at 15:45:29
In reply to general info on inositol, posted by katekite on July 19, 2002, at 9:57:18
Thanks Kate. I was lying in bed last night and realized that I shouldn't have been calling it a vitamin. That page helps out my attack on caffeine. They've been trying to ban it for years in some Muslim countries; now I really see why from many different angles.
"Caffeine in large quantities may create an inositol shortage."
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.Note that I should have said that people with depression have too many 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c receptors. Without any treatment, those receptors would usually be hyposensitive. I would say that 5-HT1a receptors are probably hyposensitive in depressed people as well. In a person with bipolar disorder, they would have too few 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c receptors (too few 5-HT1a receptors as well?). So those receptors would be hypersensitive in a manic state and hyposensitive (because of the brain's neuromodulatory feedback mechanisms) in a depressed state. I am beginning to realize that I probably actually do have a form of Bipolar II disorder. I get depressed in the fall and winter, and I usually feel much better in the spring and summer. I now realize why Remeron has helped me so much. I think that a 5-HT2a/5-HT2c antagonist is probably a good idea for bipolars. I've read that Wellbutrin can help and doesn't cause cycling as well. So Remeron plus Wellbutrin works well for me. I don't know what to make of that. I would guess that my receptor numbers are not too off kilter, but they are just enough to cause a problem when I'm not taking drugs to treat it.
Depressives probably have hyposensitive 5-HT1a,
5-HT2a, and 5-HT2c receptors. I'm not so sure anymore that we should even mess with 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c receptors at all when treating depression. Flooding the serotonergic synapses of a depressed person with serotonin will serve to initially create a situation in which 5-HT1a, 5-HT2a, and 5-HT2c receptors will be activated way too much. This will result in a large increase in anxiety. SSRI's are just too nonselective. Maybe a selective
5-HT1a agonist like gepirone would be best. Drugs acting at inisotol receptors would be very interesting.Shawn
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 19, 2002, at 16:21:14
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc. » Shawn. T., posted by turalizz on July 19, 2002, at 5:25:18
I threw the MAOI's in there so someone would try to argue in favor of them. I haven't had time to read much, but I am at least familiar with what effects they have. Could you tell me what other MAOI's are as good as moclobemide? I know selegiline is a decent drug, but once again I'm no expert. I would say that those two drugs are far better than the SSRI's. I really need to find out what else they're good for besides depression. What disorders are they not good for?
I won't comment too much on your meds (specifically the MAOI's because I don't know your exact diagnosis), but I'll say a couple things. You could upgrade the piracetam to oxiracetam (1st choice) or aniracetam (2nd choice). Those drugs aren't dangerous at all; I wish I had some. I like my suggestions better because they're more potent than piracetam, which is the least expensive by the way. Vinpocetine looks neat; I had not heard of it. I think that 25mg/day of DHEA would be the best choice for a 27 year old male (more or less may be advisable; I don't know what your DHEA levels actually are). You should think about taking Vitamin D with the calcium to aid in absorption. CoQ10 is a good choice. Make sure your multivitamin has plenty of antioxidants.Shawn
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=7319874
> > Don't take MAOI's.
>
> I disagree. Moclobemide is the best thing ever happened to me. It works perfectly for atypical depression, social phobia; it increases sex drive, enhances cognitive functions. No withdrawal syptoms, little side effects (only some insomnia that went away). I'd also say good things about selegiline, in the MAO-B selective dose range too.
>
> Here is my daily med regimen. Any comments apreciated.
>
> Morning: 500mg l-phenylalanine
> After breakfast: 150mg moclobemide, 800mg piracetam, a multi-vitamin, 10mg vinpocetine
> After lunch: 150mg moclobemide, 2.5mg selegiline, 800mg piracetam, 10mg vinpocetine, 200IU vitamin E, 1 - 2 gr Omega-3 fish oil
> Before dinner: 400mg calcium, 150mg magnesium, 5mg zinc.
>
> I am also planning to add 10 - 50 mg DHEA and CoQ10. I am 27 years old male.
>
> thanks,
>
> cem
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 19, 2002, at 21:15:28
In reply to Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc., posted by Shawn. T. on July 18, 2002, at 23:24:08
Sodium valproate is the best prescription mood stabilizer. It has fewer side effects than lithium. It works just as well. I'm still wishy washy on sodium valproate though. Personally, I wouldn't take it unless someone could show me that it is more effective than fish oils & has fewer side effects.
What all mood stabilizers have in common is their ability to inhibit the activity of protein kinase C. That said, the smartest thing to do would be to take something that is both natural and safe.
You could try taking fish oil concentrate to treat bipolar disorder as others have already made note of. Personally, I think it's a great idea. Fish oils inhibit the activity of protein kinase C. They are neuroprotective. They prevent mania. They're good for you. I can guarantee you that they show fewer side effects than lithium does. Note that you should make sure that you have a diet low in inositol content if you are bipolar and want to assist your mood stabilizer.Consider that a lot of very light skinned people like myself probably have ancestors that lived in northern climates where agriculture was not as plentiful. They ate a lot of fish. That served to prevent them from becoming manic during spring and summer. During late fall and winter, they would likely become depressed to deal with a reduction in available food if they were not used to relying on fish for their diet. They also would not receive as much light. The loss of fish intake for people who were used to consuming a lot of fish oils would leave them manic (I'm thinking about what happens when you take someone with bipolar disorder off of lithium). The manic symptoms and depressive symptoms would cancel each other out, and they would feel normal all year. They would feel less stressed out most of the time and would therefore probably live longer (e.g. the fish oils had a wide range of positive indirect effects upon them). What good does this information do us? I think it signals that we need to increase our consideration for the unique mental health needs of different ethnic groups. Is there such a thing as socioneurobiology? I think so.
Sodium valproate mechanisms
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=6676795Fish oil mechanisms
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=23117499About protein kinase c
http://biopsychiatry.com/protein-kinase-c.htmLikely mood stabilizer mechanism
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=10679995Unlikely mood stabilizer mechanism
http://www4.infotrieve.com/search/databases/detailsNew.asp?artID=6893235Bipolar mechanisms
http://biopsychiatry.com/bipolmech.htmFish oil information
http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Supp/Fish_Oil.htm
Posted by turalizz on July 20, 2002, at 2:49:12
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc. » turalizz, posted by Shawn. T. on July 19, 2002, at 16:21:14
> Could you tell me what other MAOI's are as good as moclobemide?
I can't :) The only MAOI's I've tried are the ones I've mentioned. What's cool about this combination and especially moclobemide alone is, you don't have to follow a low tyramine diet. (But, one should be very careful with increasing the selegiline dose).
> I know selegiline is a decent drug, but once again I'm no expert. I would say that those two drugs are far better than the SSRI's. I really need to find out what else they're good for besides depression. What disorders are they not good for?
Moclobemide helped with my hypersomnia (I used to sleep 14 hours a day), apathy, social phobia, and some ADD-like symptoms (lack of concentration, short attention span etc.) I suppose these effects are due to increased NE and DA. The medications that were close were mianserin, mirtazapine and reboxetine, but moclobemide is superior to all for me.
By the way, I am suspecting that I have low testosterone levels, and I will have it checked soon. Could I also have my DHEA levels checked too, and would DHEA help fix the low testosterone levels?Thanks,
cem
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 20, 2002, at 22:13:36
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc. » Shawn. T., posted by turalizz on July 20, 2002, at 2:49:12
DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, so yes it would compensate for low testosterone levels. DHEA also lowers cortisol levels (I'm not sure if I've mentioned that yet). You could definitely get your DHEA levels checked. If your doctor doesn't know where to send the blood sample, give him this address:
Corning Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92676
(800)553-5445My Good Health Guide to DHEA states that this is the most reliable place to get it tested (note that it was written in 1996).
I don't recall if you said what supplements you were taking, so I'll just mention a few extra things. You may want to try taking fish oils (DHA+EPA). I think that they would be a good complement to any drug that increases NE levels. I've also heard that fish oil is good for ADD. You should also take magnesium and B vitamins to help with the ADD-like symptoms. I know what it's like to sleep 14 hours a day; sleeping used to be a favorite hobby of mine. I'll do some research on MAOI's this coming week; I really don't know enough about them.
Shawn
Posted by cybercafe on July 21, 2002, at 1:29:47
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc. » turalizz, posted by Shawn. T. on July 20, 2002, at 22:13:36
>(DHA+EPA). I think that they would be a good complement to any drug that increases NE levels. I've also heard that fish oil is good for ADD.
... i heard that NE can precipitate mania, .. does fish oil have this effect?
>You should also take magnesium and B vitamins to help with the ADD-like symptoms. I know what
... through what mechanism do they effect ADD ?
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 21, 2002, at 18:57:21
In reply to Re: Information overload on depression, bipolar, etc., posted by cybercafe on July 21, 2002, at 1:29:47
Fish oil helps to prevent mania. It is a mood stabilizer. It shares a common mechanism of efficacious action with lithium and sodium valproate (decreases the activity of protein kinase C, PKC). I have stated that these drugs increase the activity of PKC. They actually decrease PKC activation in chronic doses. Too much PKC activity makes postsynaptic neurons
send extra signals to presynaptic neurons (using nitric oxide according to many researchers). This enhances neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron. So you become manic. I have heard that Paxil negatively affects nitric oxide, so that would help explain why it makes you numb and forgetful.B vitamins increase the absorption of magnesium, which has been shown to help children with ADHD. Some are very involved with magnesium.
"Since magnesium has so many different actions in the body, the exact reasons for some of its clinical effects are difficult to determine. For example, magnesium has reduced hyperactivity in children in preliminary research. Other research suggests that some children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lowered levels of magnesium. In a preliminary but controlled trial, 50 ADHD children with low magnesium (as determined by red blood cell, hair, and serum levels of magnesium) were given 200 mg of magnesium per day for six months. Compared with 25 other magnesium-deficient ADHD children, those given magnesium supplementation had a significant decrease in hyperactive behavior."
http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Supp/Magnesium.htm
Note that magnesium is needed to form ATP, which is important in intracellular processes. It also serves to block calcium channels (NMDA channels specifically). That means it is implied in preventing overactivity in the brain. A lack of magnesium probably leads to long term potentiation (LTP) between neurons that should not have their connections strenthened. Lack of magnesium also leads to increased nitric oxide release, which leads to increased neurotransmitter release. That also explains why my multivitamin only includes 25% of the RDA of magnesium. Using some reductionist tactics when trying to understand some of these mental health disorders helps a lot. I'd like to get everything squarely reduced to the level of genetics and gene expression. That's the big goal. Understanding consciousness definitely requires some reductionism; I think everything just might. Understanding brain function on a macro level usually isn't very helpful to me. I hope all of this makes sense; you can't exactly put this stuff in layman's terms. Perhaps someday portions of this will be taught in high schools. I'll probably try to right a top down explanation of major depression and bipolar disorder today or tomorrow. Sometimes I wonder if Keith at biopsychiatry.com or myself reads more abstracts everyday. He's really went crazy after I gave him a link to an abstract that really showed the LHPA axis link to depression. I am really beginning to get a much clearer view of the big picture. I'll definitely be able to better recommend treatments once I get a few more answers.
http://biopsychiatry.com/omega3.htm
Shawn
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