On any given day, millions of chemical processes occur in the brain. Chemical synapses occur between cells in the brain, called neurons. These neurons communicate with each other, or with other types of cells in the body, to form networks of neural circuits. Neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, move between neurons, activating different movements or bodily processes. An abnormal buildup or degradation of brain chemicals can result in a variety of diseases.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in the patient losing control of muscle function and/or physical movement. According to the Mayo Clinic, the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Profound changes in the chemical composition of the brain are present in patients with Parkinson's disease. A reduction in the level of dopamine, which is in part responsible for voluntary movements, is seen. Norepinephrine is responsible for blood pressure regulation, and occurs in low levels in patients with Parkinson's disease. The treatment for Parkinson's disease includes medications that raise the level of these important chemicals in the brain, but no cure exists.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease results in memory loss from the destruction of brain cells. Plaques that form between neurons and tangles within dying cells remains one of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease, notes the Alzheimer's Association. One theory for the presence of plaques and tangles in the brain is from a change in the chemicals in the brain, explains Healthcentral.com. A lack of different types of neurotransmitters, especially acetylcholine, leads to a loss of function in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. One treatment specifically includes a medication that blocks the chemicals that cause a reduction in acetylcholine, helping to improve brain function. Additionally, buildup of toxic chemicals in the brain has been theorized as potentially relating to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, but in many circles has been discarded as a myth.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that causes extreme shifts in an individual's mood or ability to function. While no single cause is implicated in the formation of bipolar disorder, a variety of triggers resulting in a chemical imbalance in the brain can result in a bipolar episode. Research reported in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry" by M.J. Jan et.al., found that people with bipolar disorder have a large buildup of chemicals in certain parts of the brain that people who don't exhibit bipolar disorder lack. It is unlikely that different chemical signatures between individuals are the only cause of bipolar disorder, but evidence suggests it is a major player in the disease. Medications to control the chemical changes in the brain help to improve life for individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, but it is generally a lifelong commitment to treatment that is required to maintain normalcy.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Parkinson's Disease
- Alzheimer's Association: What is Alzheimer's
- Healthcentral.com: Alzheimer's Disease
- "Molecular Psychiatry"; Metabonomic Analysis Identifies Molecular Changes Associated with the Pathophysiology and Drug Treatment of Bipolar Disorder; Lan, M.J., and McLoughlin, G. A., Griffin, J. L., Tsang, T. M, Huang, J. T. J., Yuan, P., Manji, H., Holmes, E. and Bahn S; February 2007
