Ion Channel: Function & Diseases

An ion channel is a tansmembrane protein that forms a pore in the membrane and allows ions to pass through it. Ions are electrically charged particles; they can be postitive but also negatively charged. They are in constant exchange between the cell and its environment or another neighboring cell. What is an ion channel? The … Ion Channel: Function & Diseases

Levodopa: Effects, Uses & Risks

Levodopa is a prescription medication used to treat disorders of the central nervous system. The active ingredient is L-dopa, the precursor of a neurotransmitter that can cross the blood–brain barrier to reach the site of the disease. Parkinson’s disease is among the most common conditions for therapy with levodopa. What is levodopa? Parkinson’s disease is … Levodopa: Effects, Uses & Risks

Serotonin Effects on Brain and Mind

Products Serotonin itself is not commercially available as a drug, but numerous agents interfere with serotonin metabolism. Structure and properties Serotonin (C10H12N2O, Mr = 176.2 g/mol) is a tryptamine (5-hydroxytryptamine) hydroxylated at position 5.

Rods: Structure, Function & Diseases

Rods are the retinal photoreceptors responsible for light-sensitive monochromatic night vision and peripheral vision. The main concentration of rods is outside the yellow spot (fovea centralis) located centrally on the retina, which is mainly populated with three different types of cones for color and sharp vision during the day and in bright twilight. What are … Rods: Structure, Function & Diseases

Narcolepsy (Sleeping Sickness)

Almost everyone has experienced it themselves: you sit in a long meeting or attend a lecture, and slowly your eyes fall shut and you nod off. Even a certain sleepiness after a sumptuous lunch, the so-called soup coma, is nothing out of the ordinary. However, if sleep often overtakes you completely unprepared and uncontrollably during … Narcolepsy (Sleeping Sickness)

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy symptoms are usually differentiated based on four different main symptoms. These four main narcolepsy symptoms are also named as symptom complex or narcoleptic tetrad. These four symptoms of narcolepsy are sleep compulsions, cataplexies, abnormal sleep patterns, and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy symptom #1: sleep compulsion. Sleeping sickness (popularly known as compulsive slumbering) is often initially … Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Glutamine: Function & Diseases

Glutamine is a non-essential proteinogenic amino acid. It plays a central role in the organism in all metabolic processes and in building proteins. Glutamine is most abundant in the free pool of amino acids. What is glutamine? Glutamine represents a non-essential amino acid, which contains an acid amide group in addition to the amino group … Glutamine: Function & Diseases

Triptan: Effects, Uses & Risks

A triptan is a drug used to treat cluster headaches and migraines. Triptans are particularly well suited to control moderate to severe migraine attacks. What is triptan? A triptan is a drug used to treat cluster headaches and migraines. Triptans belong to the group of migraine medications and are administered for acute migraines as well … Triptan: Effects, Uses & Risks

Fluphenazine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Fluphenazine is an active ingredient that has been used successfully as a neuroleptic in human medicine since the 1960s due to its properties. Fluphenazine is indicated for psychotic syndromes with delusions and hallucinations, diagnosed schizophrenia, and psychomotor agitation states, among other conditions. What is fluphenazine? The medical drug fluphenazine was approved in the Federal Republic … Fluphenazine: Effects, Uses & Risks