title: Hypothalamic digoxin, geomagnetic fields and human disease--a hypothesis.
abstract: The human hypothalamus synthesis an endogenous membrane Na(+)-K(+) ATPase inhibitor, digoxin. A digoxin-mediated model for quantal perception of geomagnetic fields is proposed. External geomagnetic fields can produce membrane Na(+)-K(+) ATPase inhibition. The inhibition of Na(+)-K(+) ATPase can contribute to increase in intracellular calcium and decrease in magnesium, which can result in (1) defective neurotransmitter transport mechanism, (2) neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, (3) mitochondrial dysfunction, (4) defective golgi body function and protein processing dysfunction, (5) immune dysfunction and oncogenesis. Geomagnetic fields can thus regulate cellular function and contributing to the pathogenesis of disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.forename: Parameswara Achutha
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurup
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D004077:Digoxin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004194:Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007107:Immune System; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D004077:Digoxin; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase