Sunday, July 20, 2014

The dopamine connection?

Parkinson's patients suffer from a shortage of the brain chemical dopamine--and this is stimulated to help with Parkinson's symptoms.

Two years ago, Prof Rivka Inzelberg at Tel Aviv University in Israel discovered that her Parkinson's patients were suddenly more creative. Instead of sending her candy, they sent home-made gifts.

Parkinson's results when nerve cells in the brain die, causing a lack of dopamine, thus interfering with motion and coordination.

In a story by Ellie Zolfagharifard (Daily Mail, July 18, 2014), one patient experienced too much of a good thing. She was not an artist, but after starting a new medication, she painted 2,000 canvases in 18 months.

She could not even hold onto her job--so intense was her desire to paint.

Other patients are seized by gambling or sex addictions.

So is this good or bad? Maybe just interesting...