Hypothalamic digoxin, hemispheric dominance, and neurobiology of love and affection.
The human hypothalamus produces an endogenous membrane Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, digoxin, which can regulate neuronal transmission. The digoxin status and neurotransmitter patterns were studied in individuals with a predilection to fall in love. It was also studied in individuals with differing hemispheric dominance to find out the role of cerebral dominance in this respect. In individuals with a predilection to fall in love there was decreased digoxin synthesis, increased membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity, decreased tryptophan catabolites (serotonin, quinolinic acid, and nicotine), and increased tyrosine catabolites (dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine). This pattern correlated with that obtained in left hemispheric chemical dominance. Hemispheric dominance and hypothalamic digoxin could regulate the predisposition to fall in love.
Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Ravi Kumar
RK
Kurup
Parameswara Achutha
PA
Kurup
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004077:Digoxin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010042:Ouabain / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C083016:sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitory factor; D010042:Ouabain; D004077:Digoxin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases