Neurochemical imbalance

As others before them, Emrich and colleagues (63) propose that a single neurochemical imbalance is not sufficient to explain many of the inconsistencies and contradictions in studies with various mood stabilizers. Instead, they speculate that several neurotransmitter imbalances relating to different brain areas should be anticipated. 

Describe the neurochemical imbalance underlying the symptoms of Parkinson s disease. 

Gietzen DW, Leung PMB, Rogers QR. 1989. Dietary amino acid imbalance and neurochemical changes in three hypothalamic areas. Physiol Behav 46 503-511. 

Tourette s disorder is transmitted in a complex polygenic pattern, whereas symptoms and severity of the disorder vary from one generation to another. " The neurochemical pathophysiology involves an imbalance in the interaction of dopaminergic, serotonergic. 

Psychiatric disorders (in so far as they can be explained by imbalances in neurochemicals) that accompany some of the porph)oias may be caused by a build-up in levels of ALA, which bears a structural resemblance to the neurotransmitter GABA (y-aminobutyric acid), and so could act as a neurotoxin. The heme deficiency that is brought on by the porphyrias, can lead to a reduction in the activity of hepatic (liver) enzymes that require heme. For example, reduction in the level of hepatic tryptophan pyrrolase activity leads to a build-up in levels of the amino acids tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan. Thus, a heme-deficient state in the liver could produce biochemical abnormalities capable of leading to neurological dysfunction, while heme deficiency in nerve tissue could directly alter nerve function. This has led to the treatment of severe neurological dysfunction by intravenous administration of heme compounds. 

The field of psychiatry is predicated on the assumpt-tion that serious mental disorders result from abnormalities in the structure or function of the brain. Although no specific brain anomalies have been identified as the definitive cause of mental illness, the latest neuroscientific studies suggest that imbalances in neurochemicals—also called neurotransmitters— or malfunctions in their transportation from nerve cell to nerve cell might be responsible for the symptoms of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and delusions. Neurotransmitters include dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-amino-butyric acid. Most experts believe that the causes of mental illness stem from a combination of genes (nature) and experiences (nurture). 

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