Hello Everyone, I just found a very interesting article from John Hopkins Medicine about bipolar disorder and the wiring in the brain.
"A genetic variation linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression wreaks havoc on connections among neurons in the developing brain, a team of researchers reports. The study used stem cells generated from people with and without mental illness to observe the effects of a rare and pernicious genetic variation on young brain cells. The results add to evidence that several major mental illnesses have common roots in faulty 'wiring' during early brain development."
Source
Follow the above link for the entire article. Apparently those of us with bipolar were wired differently than our healthy counterparts and this study proves it.
I wonder, my father has MS, a disease where the mylen sheath around nerves deteriorates and signals get crossed, could my brain be misfiring due to MS or just bipolar? Things to contemplate....
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
The Power of Our Thoughts - The Water Crystals of Masaru Emoto
Hello Everyone! Today I wanted to touch on some interesting research that is featured in the film What the Bleep Do We Know? which studies quantum physics. Here's a link to the movie's website: What the Bleep Do We Know?
Masaru Emoto was born in Yokohama
in July 1943. He is a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University's
department of humanities and sciences with a focus on International Relations.
In October of 1992 he received certification from the Open International
University as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine. Subsequently he was introduced
to the concept of micro cluster water in the US and Magnetic Resonance Analysis
technology. The quest thus began to discover the mystery of water.
He undertook extensive research of water around the planet not so much as a scientific researcher but more from the perspective of an original thinker. At length he realized that it was in the frozen crystal form that water showed us its true nature.
He undertook extensive research of water around the planet not so much as a scientific researcher but more from the perspective of an original thinker. At length he realized that it was in the frozen crystal form that water showed us its true nature.
Below left is an image
of very polluted and toxic water from the Fujiwara Dam. Below right is the same
water after a Buddhist monk (Reverend Kato Hoki, chief priest of Jyuhouin
Temple) offered a prayer over it for one hour. Prayer, that’s sound coupled
with intention, seems to have an extraordinary ability to restore the water
back to its natural, harmonious, geometric symmetry.
 |
Mr. Emoto’s research further found
the affect that certain music did indeed play a role in the appearance of
water. In addition, heavy metal music was found to distort the water, while
classical music created beautiful crystal structures.
The next few photos are
of water exposed to different types of music. Distilled water would be placed
in a bottle between two speakers and specific music would be played for one
hour. The water was then frozen and photos taken.
Mr Emoto decided to see
how thoughts and words affected the formation of untreated distilled water
crystals. This was done by typing words onto paper, then taping the paper onto
glass bottles overnight.
Merely,
writing positive words and affirmations on the sides of water bottles had a
similar effect, where negative words made the water lackluster and positive
words created beautiful formations.
Here is a link to Mr. Emoto's research and web page: Masaru Emoto
Here is a link to his Facebook page: Masaru Emoto
Very insightful interview with Mr. Emoto: Life Enthusiast
I hope you find this information enlightening and helpful! Have a wonderful Thursday!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Abnormal Hormone Level Can Increase Depression in Bipolar Patients
Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well today. I wanted to bring you some more bipolar news that I have come across on the internet on PsychCentral's website. Apparently there is a link between elevated AND decreased cortisol levels and the poor quality of life of bipolar patients according to a Swedish study. Below are excerpts from the article as well as a link to the source page.
"New research suggests depression is almost twice as common, and poor quality of life almost five times as common, in people with bipolar disorder who have elevated or low levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood. Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, discuss this finding in a study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
“In bipolar depression the stress system is often activated, which means that the affected individuals have elevated cortisol levels in the blood,” said Martin Maripuu, a Ph.D. student and physician at the psychiatric clinic, Östersund Hospital. “We have now been able to show that both over- and underactivity in the stress system, with corresponding elevated or reduced cortisol levels, can impair mental health in terms of depression and poor quality of life in these patients.”
As many of us know, bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease that causes recurrent episodes of both mania and depression. Stress is a known trigger for these episodes, and depression and mania also adds to the accumulated stress load. One of the body’s main stress systems is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that helps us cope with various stressful situations, such as pain, illness and stress at work. Stress causes overactivity in the stress system, resulting in elevated levels of cortisol. If the stress continues in the long-term, it is believed to cause an underactivity in the stress system, which results in low cortisol levels. Previous studies have shown that the stress system is often overactive in patients with bipolar depression."
"Prevalence of low quality of life was six times more common in the group with low cortisol levels and nearly five times more common among those with high cortisol levels, compared with those who exhibited normal activity in the stress system.
The study also shows that people who had low cortisol levels, on average, have had their disease longer than those with high cortisol levels, which could suggest that chronic stress in bipolar disorder can lead to an “exhaustion” of the stress system with reduced cortisol levels as a result. The researchers also believe that the low cortisol levels, once developed, can contribute to a more chronic, manifested state of the disorder."
The researchers think these results are important because they think that in the future they could contribute to a more personally tailored medical treatment of bipolar disorder. "The results may also ultimately lead to the development of new drugs that work by normalizing the stress system and cortisol levels,” said Maripuu.
Source
Let's hope the devlopment of new treatments is sooner rather than later. Have a great Thursday everyone!
"New research suggests depression is almost twice as common, and poor quality of life almost five times as common, in people with bipolar disorder who have elevated or low levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood. Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, discuss this finding in a study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
“In bipolar depression the stress system is often activated, which means that the affected individuals have elevated cortisol levels in the blood,” said Martin Maripuu, a Ph.D. student and physician at the psychiatric clinic, Östersund Hospital. “We have now been able to show that both over- and underactivity in the stress system, with corresponding elevated or reduced cortisol levels, can impair mental health in terms of depression and poor quality of life in these patients.”
As many of us know, bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease that causes recurrent episodes of both mania and depression. Stress is a known trigger for these episodes, and depression and mania also adds to the accumulated stress load. One of the body’s main stress systems is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that helps us cope with various stressful situations, such as pain, illness and stress at work. Stress causes overactivity in the stress system, resulting in elevated levels of cortisol. If the stress continues in the long-term, it is believed to cause an underactivity in the stress system, which results in low cortisol levels. Previous studies have shown that the stress system is often overactive in patients with bipolar depression."
"Prevalence of low quality of life was six times more common in the group with low cortisol levels and nearly five times more common among those with high cortisol levels, compared with those who exhibited normal activity in the stress system.
The study also shows that people who had low cortisol levels, on average, have had their disease longer than those with high cortisol levels, which could suggest that chronic stress in bipolar disorder can lead to an “exhaustion” of the stress system with reduced cortisol levels as a result. The researchers also believe that the low cortisol levels, once developed, can contribute to a more chronic, manifested state of the disorder."
The researchers think these results are important because they think that in the future they could contribute to a more personally tailored medical treatment of bipolar disorder. "The results may also ultimately lead to the development of new drugs that work by normalizing the stress system and cortisol levels,” said Maripuu.
Source
Let's hope the devlopment of new treatments is sooner rather than later. Have a great Thursday everyone!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Possible Therapeutic Target for Select Brain Disorders - including bipolar
Hello Everyone! I found another intersting article about new developments in the treatment of bipolar disorder. I found this information on the National Institute of Health's site. Apparently scientists have been studying different areas in the brain that have not received much attention in the past and finding links between deficiencies in the areas and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
"Researchers have found in mice that a formerly obscure region of the hippocampus called CA2 is important for social memory, the ability of an animal to recognize another of the same species. Identifying the role of this region could be useful in understanding and treating disorders characterized by altered social behaviors such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. Funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the study was published last month online in Nature."
Results of the Study
"Normally when a mouse encounters another mouse it does not know, it gives it a “sniff test” and is more interested in this new mouse versus a familiar acquaintance. The CA2-inactive mouse, however, shows no recognition of mice it has seen before and ends up sniffing indiscriminately familiar and novel mice. The mice showed no loss in the ability to discriminate social or non-social odors, such as food buried deeply in its litterbox. Although a pronounced loss of social memory is seen in the CA2-inactive mice, the mice did not experience changes in other hippocampal-specific behaviors such as spatial and contextual memory, and could still distinguish between novel and familiar inanimate objects."
Significance
“Because several neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with altered social behaviors, our findings raise the possibility that CA2 dysfunction may contribute to these behavioral changes,” said Siegelbaum.
"Individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have lowered numbers of CA2 inhibitory neurons. Similarly, individuals with autism have altered signaling of vasopressin, a social behavior hormone that interacts with a specific class of receptors found predominantly in this region. However, the CA2-inactive mice did not display classic symptoms of autism as they had normal levels of sociability, providing evidence that sociability and social memory involve different brain functions. Techniques such as the one detailed here are examples of research tools that the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN ) Initiative hopes to build upon to further our understanding of the human brain."
What’s Next
"Siegelbaum’s group hopes to use the same genetic technology to examine whether there are changes in CA2 function in mouse models of psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. If so, they plan to screen for drugs that restore normal CA2 function and ask whether this drug treatment helps reverse any behavioral changes seen in the mice. Such research offers the possibility of finding new drug targets and approaches for treating the behavioral changes associated with these disorders."
Reference
Hitti FL, Siegelbaum SA. The Hippocampal CA2 Region is Essential for Social Memory. Nature , published online February 23, 2014.
Grant 5F30MH098633-02
Link to Source page
I hope you found this informative. Sooner or later researchers should be able to find something to truly help us with our mental illnesses. This study makes me hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Have a great Thursday!
"Researchers have found in mice that a formerly obscure region of the hippocampus called CA2 is important for social memory, the ability of an animal to recognize another of the same species. Identifying the role of this region could be useful in understanding and treating disorders characterized by altered social behaviors such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. Funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the study was published last month online in Nature."
Results of the Study
"Normally when a mouse encounters another mouse it does not know, it gives it a “sniff test” and is more interested in this new mouse versus a familiar acquaintance. The CA2-inactive mouse, however, shows no recognition of mice it has seen before and ends up sniffing indiscriminately familiar and novel mice. The mice showed no loss in the ability to discriminate social or non-social odors, such as food buried deeply in its litterbox. Although a pronounced loss of social memory is seen in the CA2-inactive mice, the mice did not experience changes in other hippocampal-specific behaviors such as spatial and contextual memory, and could still distinguish between novel and familiar inanimate objects."
Significance
“Because several neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with altered social behaviors, our findings raise the possibility that CA2 dysfunction may contribute to these behavioral changes,” said Siegelbaum.
"Individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have lowered numbers of CA2 inhibitory neurons. Similarly, individuals with autism have altered signaling of vasopressin, a social behavior hormone that interacts with a specific class of receptors found predominantly in this region. However, the CA2-inactive mice did not display classic symptoms of autism as they had normal levels of sociability, providing evidence that sociability and social memory involve different brain functions. Techniques such as the one detailed here are examples of research tools that the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN ) Initiative hopes to build upon to further our understanding of the human brain."
What’s Next
"Siegelbaum’s group hopes to use the same genetic technology to examine whether there are changes in CA2 function in mouse models of psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. If so, they plan to screen for drugs that restore normal CA2 function and ask whether this drug treatment helps reverse any behavioral changes seen in the mice. Such research offers the possibility of finding new drug targets and approaches for treating the behavioral changes associated with these disorders."
Reference
Hitti FL, Siegelbaum SA. The Hippocampal CA2 Region is Essential for Social Memory. Nature , published online February 23, 2014.
Grant 5F30MH098633-02
Link to Source page
I hope you found this informative. Sooner or later researchers should be able to find something to truly help us with our mental illnesses. This study makes me hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Have a great Thursday!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Inflammation and Depression - new study
Hello Everyone! I hope you are doing well this week. Today I wanted to cover an article I just found online about the effects of inflammation and persistence of depression.
"Researcher N. Vogelzangs et al. reported in a 2014 article in Neuropharmacology that inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation in antidepressant users predicted an outcome of depression two years later. Elevated levels of the marker of inflammation Il-6, low HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar were associated with poor response to medication and chronicity of depression. Of 315 people treated with antidepressants (average age 43), 138 were in remission at 2 years, while 177 (56.2%) were still depressed. People with four or more types of inflammatory or metabolic dysregulations had a 90% chance of still being depressed at 2 years."
I found this very interesting, that maybe with a change in diet I could help curb my depression. The article is continued below.
"Among inflammatory markers including CRP and TNF-alpha, IL-6 alone was associated with chronic depression. Il-6 can cross the blood-brain barrier. We have previously reported that researcher Scott Russo found that in rats in a depression-like state known as defeat stress (brought about by repeated defeat by a larger rodent), blocking Il-6 can prevent depressive behaviors such as social avoidance or loss of preference for sucrose.
Like inflammation, metabolic abnormalities also complicate depression. Lipid dysregulation and hyperglycemia are associated not only with depression persistence, but also with the new onset of depression in humans.
Vogelzangs et al. conclude that these data “ suggest that inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation worsens depression course owing to reduced [antidepressant] response and that alternative intervention treatments may be needed for depressed persons with inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation.”
It is noteworthy that a 2014 meta-analysis of the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (Celebrex) published by Farhad Faridhosseini et al. in Human Psychopharmacology, showed that the drug, often prescribed for arthritis, is effective for unipolar depression when added to patients’ regular treatment.
It remains to be ascertained whether celecoxib’s effects are seen in depression in general, or if they pertain only to the 30% of depressed patients who show inflammation at baseline. Typical markers of inflammation include Il-6, CRP, TNFa, and Il-1.
Statins, prescribed to lower cholesterol, also have anti-inflammatory effects, and are also effective in preventing depression.
Determining treatment approaches for those patients showing signs of inflammation or metabolic irregularities remains a high priority for study. The preliminary data noted here suggest that treating these dysregulations in those with depression may be useful."
Source
I'm not one for taking more medications, but if an anti-inflammatory drug could help my depression I'd give it a try. Always discuss changes to your medication with your prescribing doctor first, especially to avoid drug interactions.
I hope you found this information useful and enlightening. Have a great Wednesday! Hump Day!
"Researcher N. Vogelzangs et al. reported in a 2014 article in Neuropharmacology that inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation in antidepressant users predicted an outcome of depression two years later. Elevated levels of the marker of inflammation Il-6, low HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar were associated with poor response to medication and chronicity of depression. Of 315 people treated with antidepressants (average age 43), 138 were in remission at 2 years, while 177 (56.2%) were still depressed. People with four or more types of inflammatory or metabolic dysregulations had a 90% chance of still being depressed at 2 years."
I found this very interesting, that maybe with a change in diet I could help curb my depression. The article is continued below.
"Among inflammatory markers including CRP and TNF-alpha, IL-6 alone was associated with chronic depression. Il-6 can cross the blood-brain barrier. We have previously reported that researcher Scott Russo found that in rats in a depression-like state known as defeat stress (brought about by repeated defeat by a larger rodent), blocking Il-6 can prevent depressive behaviors such as social avoidance or loss of preference for sucrose.
Like inflammation, metabolic abnormalities also complicate depression. Lipid dysregulation and hyperglycemia are associated not only with depression persistence, but also with the new onset of depression in humans.
Vogelzangs et al. conclude that these data “ suggest that inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation worsens depression course owing to reduced [antidepressant] response and that alternative intervention treatments may be needed for depressed persons with inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation.”
It is noteworthy that a 2014 meta-analysis of the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (Celebrex) published by Farhad Faridhosseini et al. in Human Psychopharmacology, showed that the drug, often prescribed for arthritis, is effective for unipolar depression when added to patients’ regular treatment.
It remains to be ascertained whether celecoxib’s effects are seen in depression in general, or if they pertain only to the 30% of depressed patients who show inflammation at baseline. Typical markers of inflammation include Il-6, CRP, TNFa, and Il-1.
Statins, prescribed to lower cholesterol, also have anti-inflammatory effects, and are also effective in preventing depression.
Determining treatment approaches for those patients showing signs of inflammation or metabolic irregularities remains a high priority for study. The preliminary data noted here suggest that treating these dysregulations in those with depression may be useful."
Source
I'm not one for taking more medications, but if an anti-inflammatory drug could help my depression I'd give it a try. Always discuss changes to your medication with your prescribing doctor first, especially to avoid drug interactions.
I hope you found this information useful and enlightening. Have a great Wednesday! Hump Day!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Walk A Mile in My Shoes Rally in Lansing 2014
Hello everyone! I wanted to write to you today about the 10th annual Walk a Mile in My Shoes mental health rally that was held at the Lansing State Capital building in Michigan yesterday. This was my third year going and I had a very nice time. Representatives from all 83 counties in Michigan came. There was a photo booth, DJ, inspirational speakers, and poets. It was a great time. It is also a time to take a moment and be grateful for what you have and the abilities you possess that many others do not.
One speaker was former Michigan State University basketball player Anthony Ianni, who's been touring the state talking about his battle with autism. He's the first ever college basketball player to play with autism. His speech was moving and inspirational. He is currently in the middle of his relentless tour where he goes around to schools in Michigan to talk about autism as well as bullying. Here's a link to his page: Meet Anthony Ianni
The poets that performed were amazing! The men are called Kinect Affect, two men with one voice. Very empowering in your face poetry. Here's a link to check them out, I would definitely go out to see them if you have the opportunity: The Kinetic Affect
Everyone there received a free messenger bag with a pin, snacks, and informational flyers. It was great to have our voices heard, even if it was raining.
Here's a link to a news article that covered the rally: WILX NBC10
And here's a link to the flyer for this year: Walk a Mile Flyer
If you're in Michigan next year around this time of year I encourage you to look up the rally and come out to support mental health awareness in Michigan!
Have a great day!!
One speaker was former Michigan State University basketball player Anthony Ianni, who's been touring the state talking about his battle with autism. He's the first ever college basketball player to play with autism. His speech was moving and inspirational. He is currently in the middle of his relentless tour where he goes around to schools in Michigan to talk about autism as well as bullying. Here's a link to his page: Meet Anthony Ianni
The poets that performed were amazing! The men are called Kinect Affect, two men with one voice. Very empowering in your face poetry. Here's a link to check them out, I would definitely go out to see them if you have the opportunity: The Kinetic Affect
Everyone there received a free messenger bag with a pin, snacks, and informational flyers. It was great to have our voices heard, even if it was raining.
Here's a link to a news article that covered the rally: WILX NBC10
And here's a link to the flyer for this year: Walk a Mile Flyer
If you're in Michigan next year around this time of year I encourage you to look up the rally and come out to support mental health awareness in Michigan!
Have a great day!!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Inspiration linked to bipolar disorder risk
Hello Everyone! I found another really interesting topic with a couple sources: the study of inspiration and creativity in bipolar individuals. I myself have experienced increased creativity while manic. I normally am not artistic or creative at all, however while manic I wrote an entire coherent 5 verse song in under 5 minutes. Ideas and thoughts flowed freely and ideas just came to me. I miss this. I saw more connections between things, individuals, and ideas. Below I have included text about this interesting study. Enjoy!
Inspiration has been linked with people at risk of developing bipolar disorder for the first time in a study led by Lancaster University.
For generations, artists, musicians, poets and writers have described personal experiences of mania and depression, highlighting the unique association between creativity and bipolar disorder -- experiences which are backed up by recent research. But, until now, the specific links between inspiration -- the generation of ideas that form the basis of creative work -- and bipolar disorder has received little attention.
New research by Professor by Steven Jones and Dr Alyson Dodd, of Lancaster University, and Dr June Gruber at Yale University, has shown people at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder consistently report stronger experiences of inspiration than those at lower risk.
The paper 'Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration: Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder', published in PLOS One this week, found a specific link between those people who found their source of inspiration within themselves and risk for bipolar disorder.
Professor Jones, co-director of Lancaster University's Spectrum Centre, said: "It appears that the types of inspiration most related to bipolar vulnerability are those which are self-generated and linked with strong drive for success.
"Understanding more about inspiration is important because it is a key aspect of creativity which is highly associated with mental health problems, in particular bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder highly value creativity as a positive aspect of their condition. This is relevant to clinicians, as people with bipolar disorder may be unwilling to engage with treatments and therapies which compromise their creativity."
As part of the study, 835 undergraduate students were recruited to complete online questionnaires from both Yale University in the U.S. and Lancaster University in the U.K.
They were asked to complete a questionnaire which measured their bipolar risk using a widely-used and well-validated 48-item measure which captures episodic shifts in emotion, behaviour, and energy called The Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS).
They also completed a new questionnaire developed by the team which was designed to explore beliefs about inspiration, in particular the sources of inspiration -- whether individuals thought it came from within themselves, from others or the wider environment. This measure was called the the EISI (External and Internal Sources of Inspiration) measure.
The students who scored highly for a risk of bipolar also consistently scored more highly than the others for levels of inspiration and for inspiration which they judged to have come from themselves.
Researchers say, although this pattern was consistent, the effect sizes were relatively modest so, although inspiration and bipolar risk are linked, it is important to explore other variables to get a fuller picture and to conduct further research with individuals with a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
The research team is currently inviting UK-based individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to take part in an online survey exploring associations between inspiration, mood and recovery. Go to: www.thinkingstyle.spectrumdevelopment.org.uk.
Source 1 Source 2
Inspiration has been linked with people at risk of developing bipolar disorder for the first time in a study led by Lancaster University.
For generations, artists, musicians, poets and writers have described personal experiences of mania and depression, highlighting the unique association between creativity and bipolar disorder -- experiences which are backed up by recent research. But, until now, the specific links between inspiration -- the generation of ideas that form the basis of creative work -- and bipolar disorder has received little attention.
New research by Professor by Steven Jones and Dr Alyson Dodd, of Lancaster University, and Dr June Gruber at Yale University, has shown people at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder consistently report stronger experiences of inspiration than those at lower risk.
The paper 'Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration: Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder', published in PLOS One this week, found a specific link between those people who found their source of inspiration within themselves and risk for bipolar disorder.
Professor Jones, co-director of Lancaster University's Spectrum Centre, said: "It appears that the types of inspiration most related to bipolar vulnerability are those which are self-generated and linked with strong drive for success.
"Understanding more about inspiration is important because it is a key aspect of creativity which is highly associated with mental health problems, in particular bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder highly value creativity as a positive aspect of their condition. This is relevant to clinicians, as people with bipolar disorder may be unwilling to engage with treatments and therapies which compromise their creativity."
As part of the study, 835 undergraduate students were recruited to complete online questionnaires from both Yale University in the U.S. and Lancaster University in the U.K.
They were asked to complete a questionnaire which measured their bipolar risk using a widely-used and well-validated 48-item measure which captures episodic shifts in emotion, behaviour, and energy called The Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS).
They also completed a new questionnaire developed by the team which was designed to explore beliefs about inspiration, in particular the sources of inspiration -- whether individuals thought it came from within themselves, from others or the wider environment. This measure was called the the EISI (External and Internal Sources of Inspiration) measure.
The students who scored highly for a risk of bipolar also consistently scored more highly than the others for levels of inspiration and for inspiration which they judged to have come from themselves.
Researchers say, although this pattern was consistent, the effect sizes were relatively modest so, although inspiration and bipolar risk are linked, it is important to explore other variables to get a fuller picture and to conduct further research with individuals with a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
The research team is currently inviting UK-based individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to take part in an online survey exploring associations between inspiration, mood and recovery. Go to: www.thinkingstyle.spectrumdevelopment.org.uk.
Source 1 Source 2
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by Lancaster University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
The above story is based on materials provided by Lancaster University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
- Steven Jones, Alyson Dodd, June Gruber. Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration: Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9 (3): e91669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091669
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
First stem cell study of bipolar disorder yields promising results
I recently came across this information and wanted to share it with you all. We may have more precise treatments individualized to our bodies' chemistry's needs sooner rather than later. As we all know, it is a bit of a crap shoot to find the right medications that works best to control your bipolar disorder. With this new research we are finding more origins of the disorder as well as more possible treatments. I have pasted the below texts with sources so you can read the info for yourself.
The researchers found that the neurons from bipolar patients expressed more genes for membrane receptors and ion channels than the neurons from non-bipolar patients - particularly genes for receptors and channels involved in sending and receiving calcium signals between cells.
Since calcium signals play a significant role in neuron development and function, the investigators say their findings suggest that genetic differences in early brain development may contribute to the development of bipolar and other mental health conditions later in life.
The team also found that the neurons from bipolar patients were "addressed" differently during development than those from non-bipolar patients, meaning signaling could be misdirected. They say this could affect brain development.
Furthermore, the researchers found differences in microRNA expression - small RNA fragments that play an important role in "reading" genes - in the cells of bipolar patients. The teams says this discovery supports the idea that bipolar disorder develops from a "combination of genetic vulnerabilities."
Source
What makes a person bipolar, prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? Why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families, even though no single gene is to blame? And why is it so hard to find new treatments for a condition that affects 200 million people worldwide?
"We're very excited about these findings. But we're only just beginning to understand what we can do with these cells to help answer the many unanswered questions in bipolar disorder's origins and treatment," says Melvin McInnis, M.D., principal investigator of the Prechter Bipolar Research Fund and its programs.
The researchers found that the neurons from bipolar patients expressed more genes for membrane receptors and ion channels than the neurons from non-bipolar patients - particularly genes for receptors and channels involved in sending and receiving calcium signals between cells.
Since calcium signals play a significant role in neuron development and function, the investigators say their findings suggest that genetic differences in early brain development may contribute to the development of bipolar and other mental health conditions later in life.
The team also found that the neurons from bipolar patients were "addressed" differently during development than those from non-bipolar patients, meaning signaling could be misdirected. They say this could affect brain development.
Furthermore, the researchers found differences in microRNA expression - small RNA fragments that play an important role in "reading" genes - in the cells of bipolar patients. The teams says this discovery supports the idea that bipolar disorder develops from a "combination of genetic vulnerabilities."
Source
What makes a person bipolar, prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? Why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families, even though no single gene is to blame? And why is it so hard to find new treatments for a condition that affects 200 million people worldwide?
"We're very excited about these findings. But we're only just beginning to understand what we can do with these cells to help answer the many unanswered questions in bipolar disorder's origins and treatment," says Melvin McInnis, M.D., principal investigator of the Prechter Bipolar Research Fund and its programs.
"For instance, we can now envision being able to test new drug candidates in these cells, to screen possible medications proactively instead of having to discover them fortuitously."
The research was supported by donations from the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, the Steven M. Schwartzberg Memorial Fund, and the Joshua Judson Stern Foundation. The A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the U-M Medical School also supported the work, which was reviewed and approved by the U-M Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Oversight committee and Institutional Review Board.
O'Shea, a professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and director of the U-M Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Lab, and McInnis, the Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression in the Department of Psychiatry, are co-senior authors of the new paper.
McInnis, who sees firsthand the impact that bipolar disorder has on patients and the frustration they and their families feel about the lack of treatment options, says the new research could take treatment of bipolar disorder into the era of personalized medicine.
Not only could stem cell research help find new treatments, it may also lead to a way to target treatment to each patient based on their specific profile -- and avoid the trial-and-error approach to treatment that leaves many patients with uncontrolled symptoms. New stem cell research published by scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School, and fueled by the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, may help scientists find answers to these questions.
The team used skin from people with bipolar disorder to derive the first-ever stem cell lines specific to the condition. In a new paper in Translational Psychiatry, they report how they transformed the stem cells into neurons, similar to those found in the brain -- and compared them to cells derived from people without bipolar disorder.
The comparison revealed very specific differences in how these neurons behave and communicate with each other, and identified striking differences in how the neurons respond to lithium, the most common treatment for bipolar disorder.
It's the first time scientists have directly measured differences in brain cell formation and function between people with bipolar disorder and those without. The researchers are from the Medical School's Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and Department of Psychiatry, and U-M's Depression Center.
The team used a type of stem cell called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. By taking small samples of skin cells and exposing them to carefully controlled conditions, the team coaxed them to turn into stem cells that held the potential to become any type of cell. With further coaxing, the cells became neurons.
"This gives us a model that we can use to examine how cells behave as they develop into neurons. Already, we see that cells from people with bipolar disorder are different in how often they express certain genes, how they differentiate into neurons, how they communicate, and how they respond to lithium," says Sue O'Shea, Ph.D., the experienced U-M stem cell specialist who co-led the work.
The team used skin from people with bipolar disorder to derive the first-ever stem cell lines specific to the condition. In a new paper in Translational Psychiatry, they report how they transformed the stem cells into neurons, similar to those found in the brain -- and compared them to cells derived from people without bipolar disorder.
The comparison revealed very specific differences in how these neurons behave and communicate with each other, and identified striking differences in how the neurons respond to lithium, the most common treatment for bipolar disorder.
It's the first time scientists have directly measured differences in brain cell formation and function between people with bipolar disorder and those without. The researchers are from the Medical School's Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and Department of Psychiatry, and U-M's Depression Center.
The team used a type of stem cell called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. By taking small samples of skin cells and exposing them to carefully controlled conditions, the team coaxed them to turn into stem cells that held the potential to become any type of cell. With further coaxing, the cells became neurons.
"This gives us a model that we can use to examine how cells behave as they develop into neurons. Already, we see that cells from people with bipolar disorder are different in how often they express certain genes, how they differentiate into neurons, how they communicate, and how they respond to lithium," says Sue O'Shea, Ph.D., the experienced U-M stem cell specialist who co-led the work.
More about the findings:
The skin samples were used to derive the 42 iPSC lines. When the team measured gene expression first in the stem cells, and then re-evaluated the cells once they had become neurons, very specific differences emerged between the cells derived from bipolar disorder patients and those without the condition.
Specifically, the bipolar neurons expressed more genes for membrane receptors and ion channels than non-bipolar cells, particularly those receptors and channels involved in the sending and receiving of calcium signals between cells.
Calcium signals are already known to be crucial to neuron development and function. So, the new findings support the idea that genetic differences expressed early during brain development may have a lot to do with the development of bipolar disorder symptoms -- and other mental health conditions that arise later in life, especially in the teen and young adult years.
Meanwhile, the cells' signaling patterns changed in different ways when the researchers introduced lithium, which many bipolar patients take to regulate their moods, but which causes side effects. In general, lithium alters the way calcium signals are sent and received -- and the new cell lines will make it possible to study this effect specifically in bipolar disorder-specific cells.
Like misdirected letters and packages at the post office, the neurons made from bipolar disorder patients also differed in how they were 'addressed' during development for delivery to certain areas of the brain. This may have an impact on brain development, too.
The researchers also found differences in microRNA expression in bipolar cells -- tiny fragments of RNA that play key roles in the "reading" of genes. This supports the emerging concept that bipolar disorder arises from a combination of genetic vulnerabilities.
The researchers are already developing stem cell lines from other trial participants with bipolar disorder, though it takes months to derive each line and obtain mature neurons that can be studied. They will share their cell lines with other researchers via the Prechter Repository at U-M. They also hope to develop a way to use the cells to screen drugs rapidly, called an assay.
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by University of Michigan Health System. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
The above story is based on materials provided by University of Michigan Health System. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
- H M Chen, C J DeLong, M Bame, I Rajapakse, T J Herron, M G McInnis, K S O’Shea. Transcripts involved in calcium signaling and telencephalic neuronal fate are altered in induced pluripotent stem cells from bipolar disorder patients. Translational Psychiatry, 2014; 4 (3): e375 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.12
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Bipolar and Attempting to Care for Aging/Sick Parents
Hello Everyone!
I am hoping to get some input from others on this post. I am currently struggling to deal with my own bipolar disorder and my parents' failing health has now been thrown into the mix. I'm an only child so all the work falls on me. Both of my parents have severe illnesses. My father still works but he's slowing failing due to Multiple Scerlosis. My mother has had several heart attacks and is now battling breast cancer. Both are in their mid 60s living in their own home.
I have my own small low-income apartment, but I spend most days at my folks place, even sleeping there some weeks on an air mattress. While my mother still had drains in from her mastectomy I was in charge of cleaning them and emptying them. Those are now out, but I still have a lot to keep up with.
I have to now do my folks laundry because my mother cant carry it up and down the stairs any longer. With their old machines this takes a full day. Then another day I spend cleaning their house top to bottom, another day taking my mother to get her groceries, and other days I'm mowing and doing yard work. I also fix most dinners. My crock pot has been a god-send.
The problem is my folks are only going to get worse, and how am I supposed to have a life of my own? I'm the only child and I'm stuck. I can't move away because they need me, but my bipolar is getting worse.
My anxiety had risen and my anger has risen. Its flowing into my other relationships. I don't know what to do. I am on disability and cannot afford to bring in outside help. My folks cant afford to bring in any help either. All of us are over our heads in debt.
I tried finding resources for bipolar adults dealing with aging parents and I couldn't find anything. All the general articles I find say take time for yourself, don't look for thanks because you probably wont get it, know your limitations, and find others to help. I have no one else to turn to. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going to be stuck here until both my parents die doing everything for them.
Are any of you dealing with some of the same issues?
I am hoping to get some input from others on this post. I am currently struggling to deal with my own bipolar disorder and my parents' failing health has now been thrown into the mix. I'm an only child so all the work falls on me. Both of my parents have severe illnesses. My father still works but he's slowing failing due to Multiple Scerlosis. My mother has had several heart attacks and is now battling breast cancer. Both are in their mid 60s living in their own home.
I have my own small low-income apartment, but I spend most days at my folks place, even sleeping there some weeks on an air mattress. While my mother still had drains in from her mastectomy I was in charge of cleaning them and emptying them. Those are now out, but I still have a lot to keep up with.
I have to now do my folks laundry because my mother cant carry it up and down the stairs any longer. With their old machines this takes a full day. Then another day I spend cleaning their house top to bottom, another day taking my mother to get her groceries, and other days I'm mowing and doing yard work. I also fix most dinners. My crock pot has been a god-send.
The problem is my folks are only going to get worse, and how am I supposed to have a life of my own? I'm the only child and I'm stuck. I can't move away because they need me, but my bipolar is getting worse.
My anxiety had risen and my anger has risen. Its flowing into my other relationships. I don't know what to do. I am on disability and cannot afford to bring in outside help. My folks cant afford to bring in any help either. All of us are over our heads in debt.
I tried finding resources for bipolar adults dealing with aging parents and I couldn't find anything. All the general articles I find say take time for yourself, don't look for thanks because you probably wont get it, know your limitations, and find others to help. I have no one else to turn to. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going to be stuck here until both my parents die doing everything for them.
Are any of you dealing with some of the same issues?
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Indigo Adults
Hello Everyone! I recently ran across the discussion of Indigo Adults in a forum and I was intrigued. I've looked around the web and haven't been able to find what I deem reliable sources about Indigo Adults, however several sites pointed in the same direction so I'll share them here. Just some food for thought. Do you think you're an Indigo Adult?
The term indigo generation is somewhat of a blanket term that refers to the increased amount of the color indigo present in new babies Auras. Around 30 years ago some babies were exhibiting this phenomena and the number has steadily increased until now where every new baby is an Indigo. Although all indigo babies have this increased amount of indigo in their auras they can vary widely in other ways. The majority of Indigo’s are simply reincarnations of the same group of beings who have always made up the human race. It is not that the Indigo’s are different beings but simply that they are incarnating some energies which were not being incarnated in normal people 30 years ago or more.
One of the most renowned researchers of the New Age phenomena is Ms. Lori Johnson, who worked on the Indigo generation almost scientifically and divided it into five categories according to the date of birth of children.
Source
Happy Thursday!
The term indigo generation is somewhat of a blanket term that refers to the increased amount of the color indigo present in new babies Auras. Around 30 years ago some babies were exhibiting this phenomena and the number has steadily increased until now where every new baby is an Indigo. Although all indigo babies have this increased amount of indigo in their auras they can vary widely in other ways. The majority of Indigo’s are simply reincarnations of the same group of beings who have always made up the human race. It is not that the Indigo’s are different beings but simply that they are incarnating some energies which were not being incarnated in normal people 30 years ago or more.
The grounding of energies that is
being carried out by the Indigo Generation has effects on all of humanity.
Spiritual awakening is now far easier than it has been for over 12000 years and
it is due to the grounding of these new energies. Any person who is not a part
of the Indigo Generation can actually become a part of it through the work of
Inner Alchemy. By clearing the astral layers and incarnating the light body
anyone can incarnate more of the Indigo energy and can even find connections
with various beings throughout the universe and begin acting as a grounding rod
for inter-dimensional forces.
In general the Indigo energy is
one of heightened awareness or more accurately it gives one the possibility of
heightened awareness. It also contains a feeling of personal power, grandeur and
you could say of purity. Because of these characteristics it can bring a feeling
of being royal or of extreme importance, being special. These characteristics
are of the energy itself and so when a certain personality is imbued with these
feelings it can have very different effects. As you can imagine when some people
feel this within themselves they may become arrogant while others may
disassociate from it completely and remain with very low self esteem. As with
all energies and consciousness that is incarnated by an individual, depending on
their early life experiences and past life traumas the energies are often either
disconnected or grossly overemphasized. The other possibility is a balanced ego
which integrates the various energies with a loose and fluid
structure.
As said the Indigo energy
is one of heightened awareness and as such it does contain feelings of being
very special, pure, grand and powerful but it has no arrogance whatsoever. The
Indigo energy in its pure form has 100% love and respect for all other beings
and knows that everything in existence is just as special as itself. This is a
huge difference and should not be overlooked. Just because a child is an Indigo
does not make it a teacher or even spiritually important. Essentially the only
benefit of Indigo energy is that it makes it far easier to look at yourself with
higher awareness and to conduct the true work of inner alchemy. Without the
Indigo energy it would be much harder if not impossible for anyone to awaken to
higher consciousness and to incarnate more of themselves. The Indigo child
described above, if introduced to spiritual practices would certainly excel and
would destroy the ego quickly to incarnate its higher consciousness.
One of the most renowned researchers of the New Age phenomena is Ms. Lori Johnson, who worked on the Indigo generation almost scientifically and divided it into five categories according to the date of birth of children.
Alpha Generation
The first generation, which was called Alpha, includes children born in the period from 1958 to 1968. Their aura was dark blue and green with purple shades and was under the influence of the metallic beige protecting them from external attacks and excessive early showing of indigo potential. Since early childhood, the Alpha had a feeling of being different, as if they did not belong to their place, country or parents. The reasons for this difference were always vague and never found a satisfactory explanation. The period of awakening of the Alpha generation is from 1986 until 1996.Beta generation
They are people born in the period between 1968 and 1978. The colors of their aura are blue – green – purple, but no longer the color of the metal shield. The period of their awakening coincides, roughly the period from 1996 to 2006. A typical feature of both generations, Alpha and Beta, is that they look much younger than they actually are.Gamma Generation
It is the third generation of children indigo, born from 1978 to 1988. This is the first generation with the minimum protective shield. It is usually purple with markings of ocher or crystal color. The period of intellectual awakening of these children coincides with the period between 2006 and 2016.Delta Generation
These children are born from 1988 to 1998. One of the characteristics of the fourth generation is the pure indigo color of the aura. This generation is too sensitive and needs plenty of help. These people are overactive and quite extrovert. They like to show to the world who they really are and often do it with great self-confidence. In their environment they want blue and purple colors, and really enjoy slow music. They avoid crowded places and anything that causes nervousness. Delta generation has usually very difficult teenage years. Many of these kids think that something is wrong with them, they may mess with drugs or have suicidal tendencies. The best remedy for them is the Nature, and it is good to spend there as much time as possible. The period of maturation and spiritual awakening of delta generation coincides with the period from 2016 until 2026.Omega generation
Children born from 1998 to 2008 belong to the so-called Omega indigo generation. Supposedly this is the last “pure” indigo generation. Children born in the Delta and Omega period, are also called Crystal Children because of a particularly bright, crystal color in their aura. These children are particularly vulnerable to various dermatology problems, allergies and diseases (especially to those of upper respiratory tract due to high environmental pollution). Also a large proportion of them is characterized as autistic or suffers from the Asperger syndrome. Autism in children is a way of self protection from attack and neurosis of the outside world. This generation will experience the “Dark Night of Awakening” from 2026 until 2036.The Awakening of Indigo
For each indigo generation the process of awakening begins around the age of 28-29 years and lasts about 7.5 years. The “Dark Night of Awakening” is a period that can be particularly difficult because it is the final return of an indigo person to his mission in this life. This period is full of different problems and various difficult challenges. In the mature age (37 – 39), begins the recovery and prosperity of mental abilities. Until then, the person had enough time to finally learn to trust his psychic powers without being startled or trying to share his experiences with others. These internal experiences may include: having a clear insight, direction and possible internal communication with the spiritual world; identification of thoughts, feelings and intentions of others; understanding the parallel levels of reality; a true insight into the nature of time.Source
Happy Thursday!
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