Posted by LostBoyinNCBecksDark on October 11, 2007, at 0:42:16
In reply to Which drugs are the most neuroprotective?, posted by deniseuk190466 on October 4, 2007, at 15:00:29
I would argue that good sleep is the single most "neuroprotective" thing you could do for your brain. Chronic sleep deprivation and screwed up sleep architecture as commonly seen in severe depression and obstructive sleep apnea can do a humdinger on the brain. Also, even mild hypoxia such as is found in sleep apnea can damage the brain.
Many refractory depressives suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, with resulting hypoxia and disrupted sleep architecture. Hypoxia destroys the hippocampus, a critical part of the brain associated with depression.
http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/article_pages.asp?AID=5386
"the hippocampus is the most vascularized brain region and the first to suffer from low oxygen)."
Eric
poster:LostBoyinNCBecksDark
thread:786887
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071009/msgs/788414.html