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Anxiety
Published in Charles Theisler, Adjuvant Medical Care, 2023
GABA, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, was utilized in a clinical trial where researchers used EEG to measure participants’ brain waves after taking either GABA or a placebo. Just one hour after taking GABA (100–200 mg) they saw a significant increase in alpha waves, which caused feelings of calm and relaxation.10
Plant Source Foods
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Rice is primarily composed of carbohydrates. It contains 80% carbohydrates, 7–8% protein, 3% fat, and 3% fiber (42). About 90% of carbs in rice are mainly in the form of starch which is metabolized in the digestive tract into glucose for furnishing energy to cell activity. White rice is richer in carbs than wheat grain, brown rice and glutinous (sticky) rice, but lower in proteins and micronutrients (vitamin, minerals, antioxidants). Bran in brown rice is rich in fibers, vitamins of group B, especially B1, B2, B3, vitamin E (tocopherol, tocotrienol), many essential amino acids, and many minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron, and zinc, as well as oils including γ-oryzanol, triacylglycerols, fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic acids), and so on. (42, 44). Brown rice also contains gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that plays a role as inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. In addition, the bran of brown, red, and purple rice is rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and γ-oryzanol, which all possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infection (42, 44).
Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes
Published in Jahangir Moini, Matthew Adams, Anthony LoGalbo, Complications of Diabetes Mellitus, 2022
Jahangir Moini, Matthew Adams, Anthony LoGalbo
Underlying mechanisms of panic attacks or panic disorder involve the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, amygdala, lateral prefrontal cortex, and periaqueductal gray matter. In a panic attack, there is usually elevated blood flow or metabolism. Insula hyperactivity is likely related to irregular norepinephrine activity. The periaqueductal gray matter is implicated in generating fear responses. There is an abnormally functioning “brain circuit” made up of the amygdala, central gray matter, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and locus coeruleus. Often, there are lower than normal levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Hyperventilation is a component of panic, and results in the exhalation of excessive carbon dioxide. There may be a feeling of being unable to “catch their breath.” The partial pressure of carbon dioxide is another mediator of panic disorder. Panic attacks may begin and worsen in association with diabetes progressing, increased complications, and loss of normal functioning. They are also accompany with depression in many patients.
Misuse of gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) in patients with neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury
Published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2023
Cemile Sevgi Polat, Hatice Ecem Konak, Meltem Günes Akıncı, Sule Sahin Onat, Elif Umay Altas
Chronic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common and important problem.1 This pain observed in patients with SCI may be nociceptive or neuropathic. Neuropathic pain (NP) results from a damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system and is seen in approximately 50% of patients after SCI.1,2 Neuropathic pain causes sleep disturbance and depression in patients with SCI and decreases quality of life.1 Neuropathic pain is a challenging condition to treat since its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.3 Gabapentinoids (GPs) are considered among the first-line treatment options for NP due to SCI.2,4 Gabapentinoids are antiepileptic drugs and are structural analogs of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is believed that GPs exert their therapeutic efficacy in NP by binding to the alpha-2/delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, reducing calcium flow and subsequently neurotransmitter release.5 Gabapentinoids were shown to be effective in the treatment of NP due to SCI,6 however, accounts regarding the misuse of GPs have been reported.7–9 The mechanism of gabapentinoid misuse is not fully understood. Although they do not bind directly to GABA receptors, they are thought to use GABA-mimetic properties. The direct and indirect effects of GPs on the dopaminergic reward system are thought to be related to misuse. The reason for the misuse of GPs is explained by their euphoric effects and dissociative properties.7
Assessment of gabapentin misuse using prescription drug monitoring program data
Published in Substance Abuse, 2021
Yifan Zhang, Alexandria R. Castracane, Erin L. Winstanley
Gabapentin is an analog of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), that increases glutamate decarboxylase activity and indirectly increases GABA levels.1,2 It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of partial seizures,3 postherpetic neuralgia, and restless leg syndrome.4 The prevalence of gabapentin prescribing and gabapentin use increased steadily in recent years.5,6 As of September 2017, gabapentin was ranked as the seventh most prescribed medication in the United States.4 Currently, gabapentin is prescribed off-label for a variety of indications,7 including substance use disorders (SUD).8–10 Off-label use is estimated to account for 83–95% of gabapentin use.11–13
Fermented foods, the gut and mental health: a mechanistic overview with implications for depression and anxiety
Published in Nutritional Neuroscience, 2020
Hajara Aslam, Jessica Green, Felice N. Jacka, Fiona Collier, Michael Berk, Julie Pasco, Samantha L. Dawson
Fermented foods also contain biogenics, which alter the nutritional value of the food in comparison to the unfermented substrate. Biogenics are biochemical components derived through microbial metabolism and they contain numerous direct health benefits that are not essentially mediated through gut microbiota.46 For instance, vitamins, lacto-try-peptides, bacteriocins and immunopotentiators are produced during the process of fermentation and these are considered biogenics.47 In addition, some of the bacterial metabolites (biogenics) also demonstrate immunostimulating47 and neuroactive properties. For instance, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter and abundantly found in fermented foods.48 Thus, biogenics may make fermented foods functionally active, even if live microorganisms are no longer present at the time of consumption.46