title: Role of lipid-induced changes in plasma membrane in the biophysical shunt theory of psychopathology.
abstract: The existence of a lipid factor that either causes faulty lipid metabolism or directly contributes to the emergence of a biophysical shunt in neuronal membrane ionic flow propagation is proposed. The neuronal membrane contains a remarkable amount of phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol. It is assumed that, under certain unfavorable intrinsic states, the plasma membrane's lipid order and composition and, consequently, its cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio, may change. This, in turn, may significantly modify membrane fluidity, altering the essential physical properties in the affected portions of the membrane and causing a disarray in the adjacent ion channels, leading to the establishment of a biophysical shunt in a loop-like operation, forming the basis for a variety of mental disorders. The present model offers a diet-induced lipid correction for the relief of psychopathological problems.
authors.affiliation: Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naisberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D002784:Cholesterol