Posted by linkadge on August 1, 2008, at 18:38:33
In reply to Re: Let's try that again... food for thought. » satsumas, posted by Bob on August 1, 2008, at 12:13:45
There is no evidence that current treatments actually do alter the hypermethylation of DNA seen in depression. I remember reading that hypermethylation of hippocampal DNA was associated with low hippocampal serotonin but that agents like imipramine correced the low hippocampal serotonin but not altered DNA methylation.
What you need are agents that are capable of unmethylating DNA. I think inhibition of certain isoforms of HDAC are able to do this.
What about valproate, it is an HDAC inhibitor and appears to be able to reduce abbarent DNA methylation (at least in an animal model of schizophrenia).
Garlic and quercetin are also HDAC inhibitors I believe.
By correting this, one might be able to reduce the chemical fingerprint of stress, depression, or perhaps childhood abuse, bullying etc that often never completely resolves with AD treatment.
Of course, my knoweldge on the topic is very shallow.
Linkadge
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