Abnormal cortical unit activity of the reticular formation.
Many neurological disorders are accompanied by abnormal nerve activity. However, the exact causes of this abnormal nervous activity has never been determined. Based upon my research, I propose a theory that the underlying cause of many types of neurological disorders such as minor epilepsy and narcolepsy is an abnormally functioning Na+/K+ ATPase pump at the molecular framework of the brain, notably the brainstem reticular formation (locus coerulus) and cerebellum in this particular case. The excessive and repetitive nerve activity within localized areas of the brain caused by abnormally functioning molecular Na+/K+ ATPase ion pumps may be the primary and true causes of many different types of neurological disorders since constant depolarizations of the cell membrane causes abnormally excessive amounts of certain neurotransmitters to be released. The type of neurological disorder may be a function of the abnormally occurring Na+/K+ ATPase molecular ion pump's localization within the neurological framework of the brain. To focus on my theory of repetitive nervous activity from abnormal inhibitive or defective Na+/K+ ATPase pumps, I have chosen to analyze minor epilepsy and narcolepsy intentionally. What is found is that the abnormal release of neurotransmitters during epileptic seizures or narcoleptic sleep episodes is secondary to the abnormal neuronal systematic framework underlying Na+/K+ membrane potentials since an abnormally inhibited or defective Na+/K+ ATPase pump has a direct electrogenic effect on the membrane potential.
Oxford University, England.
T M
TM
Park
D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000502:physiology
D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase