Serotonin Production: Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have succeeded in identifying traces of a microRNA molecule (miR135) that acts on serotonin producing nerve cells. This finding is important as they were able to manipulate serotonin levels in mice by altering levels of the molecule. When this idea was tested on humans, subjects known to suffer from depression had unusually low miR135 levels. The researchers are confident this will lead to the development of a blood test for depression.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/278565.php
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/278565.php
Schizophrenia and Cannabis Abuse: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Schizophrenia effects approximately 1% of the worlds population and people who abuse cannabis are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia according to Robert Power at the King's and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia. The most common symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (hearing voices). This study focused on the genetic profile of over 2000 people and found that those who smoked pot regularly had a significantly greater number of genes associated with schizophrenia then those who did not.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140624093320.htm
Ketamine and Depression: "Special K", or Ketamine, has shown important benefits when used to treat patients with severe depression who have not responded to traditional anti-depressants. Professor Colleen Loo at the University of New South Wales reports that sub-cutaneous (under the skin) placement of Ketamine provides instant improvement in patients with atypical depression. Ketamine has been traditionally used as an animal anesthetic and became more widely known by the general public as it became associated with date rape. These researchers point out the necessity of further study needed to develop dose, schedule and duration of effectiveness.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278070.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140624093320.htm
Ketamine and Depression: "Special K", or Ketamine, has shown important benefits when used to treat patients with severe depression who have not responded to traditional anti-depressants. Professor Colleen Loo at the University of New South Wales reports that sub-cutaneous (under the skin) placement of Ketamine provides instant improvement in patients with atypical depression. Ketamine has been traditionally used as an animal anesthetic and became more widely known by the general public as it became associated with date rape. These researchers point out the necessity of further study needed to develop dose, schedule and duration of effectiveness.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278070.php
