Posted by Omega Woman on January 2, 2004, at 3:21:44
In reply to Decoding Schizophrenia www.sciam.com, posted by stjames on December 31, 2003, at 23:07:19
As soon as I read the first few lines it occured to me to search "omega 3 Glutamate"
this is what I found at
http://www.stanford.edu/group/hopes/treatmts/antinflm/i_omega3fattyacids.html
One hypothesis is that omega-3 fatty acids may have a suppressive effect on ion channels involved in cell death. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce membrane excitability by blocking ion channels that are responsible for nerve cell excitation. Excessive excitatory activity due to glutamate increases overall intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations. Increased Ca2+ concentration results in the activation of Ca2+ dependent proteins and molecules that contribute to cell death. However, the mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids block these ion channels are not yet known.
Another hypothesis is that omega-3 fatty acids could also be acting to stabilize cell membranes by inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from cell membranes. Aside from its anti-inflammatory effects, PG3 synthesized from omega-3 fatty acids also inhibit the release of free AA from the cell membrane. Inhibition of AA release from cell membranes may stabilize the cell and protect it from damage.
Overactivation of glutamate receptors has been implicated in the pathology of HD nerve cells. The increased glutamate activation is thought to contribute to nerve cell death through a variety of mechanisms. By decreasing membrane excitabilty, the omega-3 fatty acids may therefore protect the brain from damage caused by excitotoxins such as glutamate.
In conclusion, protection from omega-3 may be due to their ability to block ion channels, increase nerve impulse thresholds, and/or stabilize cell membranes.
poster:Omega Woman
thread:295270
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/295633.html