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Disco
@discodancin
🧵 (1/2) Recently, neuroscientists proposed an alternative explanation to Greenfield’s generalised view of lithium’s effect on the brain, suggesting that lithium can directly affect nitric oxide (NO) levels. Lithium and Nitric Oxide in the Brain 1. Lithium and Mood Disorders: Lithium is a medication used to treat mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Its exact workings were previously unclear. 2. Nitric Oxide (NO): NO is a gas that acts as a messenger in the brain, aiding in blood flow and neuron communication. 3. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS): This brain enzyme produces NO and is activated by specific receptors to increase NO production. 4. How Lithium Works: Recent studies suggest lithium interacts with nNOS to stabilize NO levels, regulating brain blood flow and neuron communication. 5. Why It Matters: Balanced NO levels are crucial for brain function, stabilizing mood and improving symptoms in bipolar disorder.
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@discodancin
( 2/2 ) Example to Clarify Imagine NO as a delivery driver bringing signals (packages) to neurons (houses). If the delivery is too fast or slow, it causes problems. Lithium ensures the delivery driver (NO) operates at the right speed, so everything runs smoothly in the brain (neighborhood). Bottom Line Lithium helps manage mood disorders by maintaining proper NO levels, improving brain blood flow and neuron communication. /cryptosapiens đź§
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