The Transporter

During a study in Germany, researchers performed a genome-wide association study on over 15,000 individuals. During that study, they identified gene SLC6A15, which codes for neuronal amino acid transporter proteins, and also acts as a susceptibility gene for depression. Subjects in the study who were not depressed showed lower expression of SLC6A15 in their hippocampus compared to study subjects who did suffer from depression. The authors suggest…

Researchers experiment with brain cells to understand the different pathways. As the follow experiment where researchers put glutamate in a culture where there were neurons and astrocytes. After a glucose use by cells, they saw an inhibition of the glucose transport into the neurons and this inhibition was stronger with add of lactate in the culture. This experiment show us that glutamate inhibited glucose transport into the neurons and in consequence inhibited glycolysis, and this is why it…

found no significant effects of moderate MDMA use, however, heavy use was found to be associated with global decreases in serotonin transporters, believed to be a consequence of serotonin neurotoxicity, with women being more susceptible to “dose-related decreases in serotonin transporters” than men. According to Reneman et al. (2001) these decreases in serotonin transporters could be reversed, however long-term effects in the parieto-occipital cortex and occipital cortex is also a possibility.…

When there are genetic mutations that affect the cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the outcome. CF was recently linked to CFTR defects, which is a major gene, found on the seventh chromosome. Cystic Fibrosis is not only the most common disease among those of Caucasian decent, but it also happens to be the most deadly inherited disease that affects more often Caucasian Americans. In the United States one in twenty among Caucasians are…

Sertraline. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlling fundamental physiological aspects of the body. In the central nervous system (CNS), serotonin has a key role in regulating sleep, appetite, sexual desire and mood, also some cognitive function, including memory, learning and depression. Individuals who suffer from major depressive disorder are associated with decreased availability of serotonin or inefficient levels of serotonin. In addition, suicidal patients have…

have used the serotonin needed serotonin transporters remove the additional serotonin from the brain. Ecstasy which is an illegal street drug also referred to as a designer drug binds with the serotonin transporter that affects the brain. When ecstasy is introduced to the body, it recognizes it as serotonin and ironically the serotonin transporters absorbs ecstasy more easily than it does serotonin. While ecstasy may be more easily absorbed by the transporter it also bewilders it and causes it…

cell into letting it inside. Methamphetamine exemplifies this greatly by imitating dopamine. Dopamine transporters are responsible for removing dopamine from the synaptic cleft, but when Meth impersonates dopamine, it tricks the cell and is taken in by the dopamine transporters. Meth then enters the dopamine vesicles, forcing the dopamine out. The surplus of dopamine in the cell forces the transporters to start working in reverse, and through active transport, it pumps the dopamine out of the…

Cheez-it Story Cheez-its aren’t allowed in the cafeteria anymore; or on Earth for that matter. I bet you’re wondering why a thing as simple as Cheez-its would be banned from our planet. It started with a small flick... The flying Cheez-it landed in the teacher's eye. The round edges of the Cheez-it wouldn’t have of punctured her eye if it wasn’t flicked so hard. The agonizing pain caused the teacher to scramble out of the door screaming. Sadly, two men were carrying a new mirror for the boys’…

Models: 5.a.1. 6- Hydroxydopamine model: One of the most frequently used toxin-based animal model is 6-OHDA. It was first isolated in 1950. It is frequently used in rats. It shows affinity for catecholaminergic transporter. For example, norepinephrine transporter and dopamine transporter. Though the structure of 6-OHDA is similar to dopamine but the existence of excess amount of hydroxyl group makes it toxic to dopaminergic neurons. Catecholaminergic neurons are damaged by a combined effect of…

important for me to know my patient’s code status even before I enter their room. By knowing my code status, I can alert my nursing assistance, physical therapist, transporters and other team members about my client’s code status. For example, if my client has a CT scan order and requires to be from a unit, it is important for the transporter and others to know my client’s code status. A DNR can be presented in a client’s living will or health care power of attorney. This decision is made…