The Bundle Damage Theory
Part 3 of our multiple part series will detail the second of two prevailing theories in medicine as to how neurotransmitter imbalances occur. Recall that our approach to eliminating the urge to pull is based on premise that trichotillomania, along with many other disorders, often results from imbalances in neurotransmitter levels. By reestablishing proper neurotransmitter levels, we can eliminate the urge to pull.
Note, much of the recent research in this area has been conducted and/or compiled by Marty Hinz, MD in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Medical School. The following information is largely compiled from Food and Nutrients in Disease Management (CRC Press, 2009): Ingrid Kohlstadt, MD Johns Hopkins, Hinz, M.; and more information can be found at www.neuroassist.com. Complete references will be provided at the end of the series. To illustrate each these theories, I will use depression as a representative disorder involving neurotransmitter imbalance as it is one of the most widely studied.
The bundle damage theory states, “Neurotransmitter dysfunction disease symptoms, such as symptoms of depression (and the urge to pull), develop when the electrical flow through the neuron bundles that regulate function is compromised by damage to the individual neurons or the neuron components composing the neuron bundle which conducts electricity to regulate or control function. In order to optimally restore neuron bundle regulatory function, synaptic neurotransmitter levels of the remaining viable neurons must be increased to levels higher than is normally found in the system, which restores adequate electrical outflow resulting in relief of symptoms and optimal regulatory function.”
“Bundles of neurons convey electricity that regulates and/or controls numerous functions in the body. If enough of the individual neurons of a bundle become damaged the flow of electricity through the bundle is diminished leading to the function being controlled and/or regulated not controlling properly causing symptoms of disease develop. Technically synaptic neurotransmitter levels prior to treatment in patients with disease due to neuron bundle damage are in the normal range for the population.”
Basically, the Bundle Damage Theory states that when enough individual neurons are damaged, neurotransmission is compromised and symptoms, such as depression, the urge to pull, obsessive thoughts, anxiety and migraines, result.
How to reconcile these two theories into a useful model to explain how disorders like trichotillomania are caused will be the focus of future posts.
