Posted by linkadge on June 30, 2010, at 7:23:50
In reply to Re: The biology of depression: SLS » topcatclr, posted by violette on June 29, 2010, at 0:21:35
>if your brain is too tired, you wouldn't have >much mental energy for emotions to manifest >since you are using all that energy to merely >function.
In depression, the brain is always "too tired", yet it does find a way to continue to ruminate. The theraputic effects of sleep deprivation is more than simply being too tired.
In Parkinsons disease, for instance, it has been known for a long time, that sleep deprivation can actually improve (substantially) the tremors and other symptoms with the disease. Some patients can perform tasks after the SD day that they would not normally be able to perform. The other thing too, is that bipolars can actually go manic after sleep deprivation.
This hints to more than the simply being 'too tired' hypothesis. The effect in Parkinons, mania and depression hints at a possible dopaminergic mechanisms to SD.
Linkadge
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thread:952373
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100628/msgs/952680.html