Anti-stress peptide helps block alcohol dependence in animal model

Anti-stress peptide helps block alcohol dependence in animal model

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/11120915052.htm

The Scripps Research Institute has published a new study entitled "Nociceptin/ Orphanin FQ Blockade of CRF-induced GABA Release in Central Amygdala is Enhanced after Chronic Ethanol Exposure" in the journal Biological Psychiatry. The researchers identified a stress peptide that promotes excessive alcohol drinking, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and an anti-stress peptide, nociceptin. Both peptides have opposite effects on the inhibitory neuro-transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the amygdala. CRF stimulates GABA while nociceptin inhibits it to help control alcohol intake. They also found it didn't matter if the CRF or nociceptin were introduced first, because the nociceptin drove down levels of GABA regardless. The researchers were also able to determine both peptides effected the amygdala neurons of alcohol-dependent rats vs. non-dependent controls more. And both peptides rely on the same enzyme, protein kinase A (PKA), to regulate GABA release. The researchers hope these discoveries will help lead to a new treatment of alcoholism.
"Alcoholism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors, one of which is stress. By targeting a particular system that's associated with stress, we can better understand the interaction of alcohol and stress in the brain." stated first author of the study, Maureen Cruz. Alcoholism is a chronic, complex disease that won't be treatable by just one new pill, but this is a new approach that tackles the stress factor.

Yawning

Have you ever seen someone yawn, and a few seconds later yawn yourself? It is often said that yawning is contagious, and in a sense, this is true. Recent studies have shown that yawning can be a sign of empathy towards people, such as family and friends. The research shows people yawn more often when the person they see yawning is a family member, and much less often if a person is a complete stranger. They say that seeing a person yawn triggers multiple brain functions, such as imitation, movement, and social behaviors. This trigger is overstimulated if the person is someone you care about, thus causing a yawn.

Ophidiophobia

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=152565

Ever wonder why snakes made the hair on the back of your neck stand up? Or why you start shaking when you see a snake? Studies suggest that you have a good reason to be afraid of these reptiles. There is a documentation stating that a small tribe in the Philippines was the first to notice how dangerous these creatures can be. For the Agta Negritos of Luzon Island this is still true. Anthropologist Thomas N. Headland went to this island to interview those who had been attacked by pythons. The ones who lived to tell the story bared scars from the encounter. "This amounted to one 'traumatic python incident' -- either fatal or nonfatal -- every two or three years, the authors stated." According to reasearch an adult man was little over half the mass of a large female python, which wasn't a big meal according to snake standards. But the natives of the island too feed on the snakes. It was recorded that a 23ft long python was killed and provided 55 lbs. of meat. "And modern-day psychiatrist Dr. Bryan Bruno, acting chairman of the department of psychiatry at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, agreed that the lingering fear people have today may indeed date back to human ancestors who were even more vulnerable to serpent attacks." It is said that "The fear, is 'human universal'."

This is quite shocking to me because personally I love snakes and the thought of one eating me isn't all that pleasent. I won't just be terrified of snakes after I read that but some people could be. For example ones that don't like snakes to begin with might classify this as one of the reasons. It's kind of like a food chain. The natives eat the snakes and the snakes eat the natives. I could understand this to be something tramatic especially if I saw it happen or a snake actually attacked me. Then perhaps I would be afraid of snakes, but only that specific type of snake. Others might hate snakes all together and would be those to shake or whose hairs raise.

Branding and Social Media

Studies show that advertising products on Facebook, where all your personal information is seen as well, increases the amount of people who purchase them. This is believed to be caused by high self esteem, for when people see themselves next to a product that is somewhat tailored to their own lives, their own importance seems to rub off onto the product. They tested whether people would would go for an object branded as "self" or "other," and the "self" category won, reinforcing the theory.

Sleep Disorder

There are a lot of sleeping disorders. Here is a list of things that causes sleeping disorder: Bruxism, delayed sleep phase syndrome, insomnia, jet lag or desynchronosis, narcolepsy, night terror, parasomnias, periodic limb movement disorder, rapid eye movement behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome , shift work sleep disorder, sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking or somnambulism, and something simple such as snoring. Theres a cure for sleep disorders thankfully. These include medication, psychological therapy, and other somatic treatments. I love my sleep, and would hate if I couldnt sleep until 10 on the weekends.

Suicidal Kids

Suicide can happen to anyone. Give the person a emotional awakening and it will make them think they should end their life. If you hurt someone bad enough, suicide might be their last resort. Most people have ways of controlling the thought of suicide like hanging out with a friend or eating their favorite food. Kids commit suicide too, from bullying or a bad family. Statistics have found out that forty percent of teenage suicide attempts happens before high school. I think this is an interesting fact, considering high school is pretty much the biggest thing in teenage life. I would think that most teenage suicides attempts happened during high school.

Happy Quiters

People picture people who smoke cranky and always mad because they are taking them away from their pride and joy. No doubt quitting cancer sticks will ensure better health but no one looked how it effected their pschycological well-being. Addiction and fright are not good do quitting. My grandpa smoked damn near his whole life, starting when he was in his 20's. Quitting has been off and on for him, off, on, off, on, etc. He finally quit this year and I've noticed a difference. He doesnt get as mad and overall is just happy. So if your a smoker, quit now and be happy the rest of your life! :)