The Limbic System and the Emotional Seesaw of Morgellons

[tcmgpt13]

Many morgellons patients notice they have severe emotional swings, mood disorders, bipolar, anxiety and depression. Thanks to a more recent letter posted on the forum from Dr. Harvey, the main current private researcher of what is causing morgellons, we now know that this is coming from the limbic system of the brain:

Message from Dr. Harvey

"Meanwhile, as both primary organisms create brain limbic system abnormalities, we now understand that the delusional component of the illness is real in many affected (but far from all), so correct psychotropic medication can help that component even if treated purely independently."

Here is a brief description of the limbic system:

The Limbic System and Emotional Communication

The Anatomy Of The System Itself

The Limbic System is a complex combination of several structures in the brain that receives sensory stimulation, which is translated into emotional and psychological expression. Major components of the Limbic System include the hypothalamus, amygdala, corpus callosum, fornix, limbic cortex, cerebellum, mammillary body and hippocampus. The Limbic System is at the center of the brain, where all major emotional expressions are generated. Everyone's emotional health is absolutely dependent on the health and chemical balance of this system.

In 1878, the French neurologist Paul Broca called attention to the fact that, on the medial surface of the mammalian brain, right underneath the cortex, there exits an area containing several nuclei of gray matter (neurons) which he denominated was the limbic lobe (from the Latin word "limbus" that implies the idea of a circle or ring surrounding, etc.) since it forms a kind of border around the brain stem. The entirety of these structures, that, years later would receive the name of "limbic system", developed with the emergence of the inferior (primitive) mammals. This system commands certain behaviors that are necessary for the survival of all mammals.

It gives rise to and modulates specific functions that allow the animal to distinguish between the agreeable and the disagreeable. Here specific affective functions are developed, such as the one that induces the females to nurse and protect their children and the one, which induces animals to develop playful behaviors or moods. The limbic system is responsible for regulating emotions and feelings, like rage, fright, passion, love, hate, joy and sadness, sexual behavior, hormone production, autonomic nervous system, hunger, thirst, sleep, body temp, motivation and sense of smell, all originate in the limbic system. This system is also responsible for some aspects of personal identity and for important functions related to memory.

Critical messenger chemicals known as neurotransmitter exist and are naturally produced by our brain and are free flowing. These chemicals pass from nerve cell to nerve cell along networks, referred to as pathways, whenever an emotional response stimulates the nervous system.

It is therefore vitally important that there is a balanced supply of each of each of these chemical transmitters present in order that these pathways may operate efficiently. If the level of neurotransmitters is insufficient or out of balance it will not allow the involved pathways to adequately "fire", and thereby the emotional responses of the individual are "unhealthy".

There are two basic types of pathways in this system, one is excitatory (gets the juices flowing) and the other sedative (has a calming effect). Together they express a wide range of feeling states ranging from ecstasy to sleep and trance.

The three neurotransmitters most commonly thought to be critical to the excitatory pathways are dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This set of neurotransmitters are synthesized and released in the first part of the day. They are activating in nature, allowing us to be motivated and alert and feeling a state of positive engagement with the world around us.

The neurotransmitters most commonly associated with sedative pathway function are serotonin and GABA, (gamma amino butyric acid). This set are synthesized and released in the afternoon and at evening time. They allow a person to relax, slow down and get to sleep."

This next quote is from another site and describes some of the limbic connections to common mental disorders, many of which are being diagnosed in those who have morgellons disease. What is interesting to me is that some of these disorders are being by diagnosed by Harvey as occurring after the patient has contracted morgellons, which leaves one to wonder how many cases of mental disorders have parasites, bacterias, viruses or fungi as the causative factor of the brain imbalance:

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) is a disorder of the brain characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking and behavior. Among psychiatric illnesses, bipolar disorder ranks second only to major unipolar depression as a cause of global disability. Bipolar patients may spend as much as 20% of their lives in episodes, most of this lost time taken up by depression. Between episodes, some 30-60 percent suffer psychosocial impairment. Even for those patients under apparent control, the relapse rates range as high as 40% in one year, 60% in two years and 73% in five or more years. While certain behavioral interventions such as cognitive-behavior therapy and cell membrane nutrients have shown promise the medical management of bipolar disorder remains overwhelmingly pharmacological. Most bipolar disorder patients require a combination of mood stabilizers to remain in remission. (Kidd, 2004)

Bipolar disorder is much more common in multiple sclerosis patients than in the general population. (Horrobin & Bennett, 1999) Bipolar disorder has a substantial overlap with major depressive disorder. (Kidd, 2004)

CT and MRI studies suggest cerebellar atrophy tending to be more extreme in brains with greater numbers of recorded bipolar disorder episodes. Cerebellar abnormalities could contribute to dysregulation of limbic and cortical regions that partly determine mood. (Kidd, 2004) PET and SPECT studies demonstrate low glucose metabolism and blood flow in the cortex (prefrontal and paralimbic) of moderately to severely depressed bipolar patients. In contrast, subcortical paralimbic structures such as the ventral striatum, thalamus and amygdale show abnormally high metabolism in moderately to severely depressed bipolar patients. (Ketter & Drevets, 2002)

Depression

In a given one-year period up to 9.5% of the US population (nearly 19 million people) may suffer from depression. The three most common types of depression include: major depression, dysthymia (you simply don’t feel happy for extended periods of time), and bipolar disorder (mania alternating with periods of depression). (Hobbs, 2002)

A diagnosis of depression requires feelings of profound sadness or loss of interest in everyday activities for at least two weeks plus at least four of the following symptoms: a change in appetite or weight, an inability to sleep or over sleeping, restlessness, reduced energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, or thoughts of death or suicide. These symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Conventional medicine typically treats depression with antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy or a combination of these two. (Weil, 2005)

After the diagnosis of depression has been made it is important to rule out the simple organic factors which are known to contribute to depression such as: nutrient deficiency, drug-induced depression, oral contraception, caffeine, smoking, hypoglycemia, thyroid function, adrenal function and various environmental factors. (Murray, 1991)

Depression may be triggered by tension, stress, a traumatic life event, chemical imbalances in the brain, thyroid disorders, upset stomach, headache, nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, the consumption of sugar, mononucleosis, lack of exercise, endometriosis, any serious physical disorder, food allergies or hypoglycemia. Heredity also plays a role. (Balch & Balch, 1997)

While the exact mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of depression remain obscure, there is an indication of involvement of the frontal cortex and limbic system, including the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens. (Nestler et al 2002)

A growing body of research indicates that depression is associated with excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines, including interleukin-1beta, -2 and –6, interferon-gamma, and TNF-a, can have direct and indirect effects on the CNS. Psychological stress, infection, trauma, allergies, toxins and various other factors can be responsible for a rise in these cytokines. Interestingly, various tricyclic and serotonin re-uptake inhibiting antidepressant medications can inhibit the release of the above-mentioned cytokines. (Maes & Smith, 199

best, tcm

[Bad_Boy]

Great post TCM!

I thought the limbic system was the seat of emotion, but now realize it does much more.

Thanks,
BB