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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Hugh on April 19, 2021, at 14:09:11
A simple dietary supplement reduces behavioral symptoms in mice with a genetic mutation that causes schizophrenia. After additional experiments, including visualizing the fluorescently stained dancing edge of immature brain cells, researchers concluded that the supplement likely protects proteins that build neurons' cellular skeletons.
The supplement betaine was first isolated from sugar beets and is often associated with sweetness or umami flavor. Healthy levels of betaine come from both external food sources and internal synthesis in the body. Betaine supplements are already used clinically to treat the metabolic disease homocystinuria.
"I don't encourage anyone to take betaine for no reason, if a doctor has not recommended it. But, we know this drug is already used clinically, so repurposing it to treat schizophrenia should be safe," said Project Professor Nobutaka Hirokawa, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine who led the recent research project. Hirokawa has been a member of the Japan Academy, a national honorary organization recognizing scientific achievement, since 2004 and received a Person of Cultural Merit award from the Japanese government in 2013.Schizophrenia is estimated to affect about 1 in 100 people globally and is one of the top 15 leading causes of disability worldwide.
Betaine is known to prevent the type of chemical damage, carbonyl stress, that causes this CRMP2 dysfunction.
"In postmortem brains of schizophrenia patients, CRMP2 is the protein in the brain with the most carbonyl stress. Betaine likely eliminates the carbonyl stress portion of the schizophrenia equation," said Hirokawa.
By protecting CRMP2 from damage, betaine treatment allows kif3b mutant neurons to build proper structures. With a structurally sound skeleton to navigate, the remaining functional KIF3B protein can shuttle cargo around the cell. Other test tube experiments revealed that KIF3B and CRMP2 can bind together, but their exact relationship remains unclear.
"We know that the amount of betaine decreases in schizophrenia patients' brains, so this study strongly suggests betaine could be therapeutic for at least some kinds of schizophrenia," said Hirokawa.
The UTokyo research team is planning future collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and clinical studies of betaine supplements as a treatment for schizophrenia.
Complete article:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-04-supplement-schizophrenia-mice-healthy-neurons.html
Posted by Lamdage22 on April 21, 2021, at 12:08:11
In reply to Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Hugh on April 19, 2021, at 14:09:11
Thanks! Safety?
Posted by Lamdage22 on April 22, 2021, at 2:22:40
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Lamdage22 on April 21, 2021, at 12:08:11
It looks like wether or not it helps schizophrenia depends on the individual. It is not a universal treatment for everyone, but certain individuals with certain health problems benefit psychologically. Do you understand which ones they are? Didn't get it.
HOWEVER: I found this. It seems to aid fat loss. Also it seems to protect the cardiovascular system.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835719/
Posted by Hugh on April 24, 2021, at 11:27:10
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Lamdage22 on April 22, 2021, at 2:22:40
Posted by Lamdage22 on April 25, 2021, at 14:31:15
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Hugh on April 24, 2021, at 11:27:10
Do you have to be an undermethylator for this to work?
Posted by Hugh on April 26, 2021, at 13:30:46
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Lamdage22 on April 25, 2021, at 14:31:15
Betaine (TMG) does more than support methylation. It may protect cells from stress and cause greater energy production during exercise.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1539222/pdf/hw0945.pdf
Posted by Lamdage22 on May 16, 2021, at 2:58:03
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Hugh on April 26, 2021, at 13:30:46
I have a bottle here now, however I'm in the middle of something else right now. Thinking to ditch the antidepressants as I don't tolerate them well anymore and I think that 5-HTP combined with good nutrition is better than any reuptake inhibitors.
Posted by Lamdage22 on June 23, 2021, at 0:52:53
In reply to Re: Betaine could treat schizophrenia, posted by Lamdage22 on May 16, 2021, at 2:58:03
Could it be that Betaine improves brain fog and cognitive impairment? I have some issues due to discontinuation of Trazodone. Weirdly, T did not make me tired at all. I was taking it throughout the day, not at nighttime.
This is the end of the thread.
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