Levels of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) in the brain could influence whether or not we get dementia and epilepsy. It is created in the body in small doses and smells of rotten eggs.
Interesting Factors
(a) H2S is produced in the brain and several muscles, including thoracic aorta and the ileum.
(b) Tests on rat brain cells found it blocked a key brain cell gateway that helps the brain to communicate effectively.
(c) Treatments to reduce levels of H2S in the brain may help in tackling dementia and epilepsy.
This is an exciting finding as it gives us new insights about the role of hydrogen sulfide in various brain diseases, such as dementia and epilepsy.
- Dr Mark Dallas, University of Reading
What Does It Do
* Researchers found that H2S disrupts the normal functioning of potassium channels which regulate electrical activity across the connections between brain cells.
* Although H2S is produced in small doses inside the body, it's also found naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gases, hot springs and groundwater.
* Human exposure to hydrogen sulfide produced outside the body is principally via inhalation and the gas is rapidly absorbed through the lungs.
Stats
* 50 mn Dementia patients globally
* 10 mn New cases recorded every year
* 60 - 70% Dementia cases are due to Alzheimer's
Earlier Studies
* A 2001 study by University of Calgary in Canada found the gas appeared to impair cognitive performance in rats.
* It has also previously been linked to brain damage and nervous system damage in humans.
Research
* The research was conducted by experts at the University of Reading, the University of Leeds and John Hopkins University in the US
* Cells taken from rat brains were changed with a H2S donor molecule and then brain cell electrical signals were monitored
* The resulting exposure to H2S increased the level of activity in brain cells
* The team was also able to identify which part of the potassium channel was allowing this activity increase
* They used a mutated form of the potassium channel which has already been shown to protect nerve cells from a host of toxic stimuli, including amyloid beta, a dangerous protein found in the brain of Alzheimer's patients
* The researchers found that the mutation was resistant to the effect of H2S
* The specific mutated channel now holds particular interest for research into Alzheimer's given the protective benefits
- ExFile in the NIE
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Rema had called up to say that they had fetched up at Thrippunithura, yesterday, to finish pending jobs.
Had to make a trip to Harishree Department Store to pay the bill for the groceries as the online payment system had gone for a bunt. I'd hitched a ride on Nandakumar's Kinetic Honda for the onward trip and returned by an auto rickshaw.
Heavy thundershowers around sunset time which brought down the temperature.
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