Depression Linked to Fatty Acids and Membrane Viscosity

Fano, March 29th 2012

PSYCHIATRY AND
QUANTUM CONSCIOUSNESS:

A POSSIBLE LINK?
Massimo COCCHI and Lucio TONELLO
FACULTY OF HUMAN SCIENCES
LUdeS University, Lugano, CH
&
“P. Sotgiu” INSTITUTE
Institute for Research in Quantitative & Quantum Psychiatry & Cardiology

Summary

SUMMARY
• CHAPTER 1: DEPRESSION
Fatty Acids profile and Major Depression
• CHAPTER 2: G PROTEIN
The G Protein Dynamics and Depression
• CHAPTER 3: CONSCIOUSNESS
Quantum Consciousness Models, Fatty Acids and
G ProteinD
• CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

1.1 INTRODUCTION
The first experiment

Chapter 1.1, Depression: Introduction

Data Base C 14:0
C 16:0
C 16:1
C 17:1
C 18:0
C 18:1n9
1) DATA BASE “Control” (n = 60)
C 18:1n7
(22 females and 38 males, mean age: 33.97, SD: ± 12.40)
C 18:2n6 19
C 18:3n3
Variables
C 20:3n3
C 20:4
in
C 22:4 Platelets
2) DATA BASE “Depression” (n = 84) C 22:5 Membran
(51 females and 33 males, mean age: 60.21, SD: ± 12.27) C 22:6n3
e
%SAT
%MON
%PUFA
Q10 tot
Vit E

Searching for differences
VARIABLE p
C20:4 < 0.01
C18:2 < 0.01
C16:0 < 0.01 19 Variables
C17:1 < 0.01
C22:6 < 0.01
C18:0 < 0.01
VitE < 0.01
C16:1 < 0.05
C22:5 n.s.
C14:0 n.s.
C18:3 n.s.
C20:3 n.s. 8 Variables
C22:4 n.s. (p< .05)
... ...

1-way ANOVA


Statistical Analysis

Many statistical tools
have been used: …
…
Cluster Analisys
Discriminant Analysis
Classification Trees
…
…
An interesting result
has been reached using:


Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
ANNs are Mathematical Models
representing what happens in the C.N.S.,
on the physical and/or physiological level.

ANNs are suitable for NON-LINEAR, or best,
COMPLEX PROBLEMS (mathematical meaning)


ANN analysis

8 Variables
Many kind of ANNs has
been performed.

The Self Organizing Map
(SOM), in particular, led to
important results.
3 Variables


ANN analysis

In fact, the SOM can map MD subjects and controls,
discriminating them in an interesting way, just using:

C16:0 – Palmitic Acid
C18:2 – Linoleic Acid
C20:4 – Arachidonic Acid

Let’s see:
what is a SOM and how does it work?

1.2 MATERIALS and
METHODS:
The SOM

Chapter 1.2, Depression: Materials and Methods

Self Organizing Map (SOM)
(Malsburg, 1973; Kohonen,1982)

“Sensory inputs are mapped in sensory cortex”

Let’s think about:

The Somatosensory Cortex


Visual cortex

For cells in visual area 1 of the
mammalian brain, (Hubel
&Weisel,1962) using
microelectrode studies with cats.

(...now using imaging tech.)

Keyword: neighbourhood


Visual cortex

SIMILAR
NEAR
OBJECTS

DIFFERENT FAR
OBJECTS

Keyword: neighbourhood


Natural and Artificial SOM
NATURAL ARTIFICIAL
SENSORY CORTEX SENSORY CORTEX

NATURAL ARTIFICIAL
SENSORY INPUT SENSORY INPUT


SOM and Depression
Let’s try to map “Depression” and “Control” subjects!

For each Subject:

we will tell the ANN just Fatty Acids composition;
we will not tell what is the clinical diagnosis!

ANN Name: Enhanced SOM (E. Kohonen ANN)
Algorithm: AB Mexican Hat
Training Set: 144 Subjects
Software: SOM V

Chapter 1.3, Depression: Results

1) Bio-markers
At least in this experiment:

Arachidonic Acid (C20:4 )
Palmitic Acid (C16:0 )
Linoleic Acid (C18:2 )
(PLATLET MEMBRANE)
MEMBRANE

CAN DISCRIMINATE DEPRESSION
AND HAVE DIAGNOSTIC POWER

Chapter 1.3, Depression: Results

2) Border-line area
In this experiment:

LOW
RISK
NO
There is a BORDER-LINE area! RISK DEPRESSION

HIGH
RISK

Chapter 1.4, Depression: Discussion

Studying ADAM

ADAM found that:
AA, PA, LA
Seem to be the main actors in MD

Let’s try to study them!

What about the level of saturation, the
“viscosity”, “mobilty” of the cell membrane?


The level of saturation
As a measure of saturation level, we introduced the B2 index:

3
mpi
B2 = ∑ ( Ai ) i
1
Name
Palmitic A. C 16:0

i =1 mwi 2
3
Linoleic A.
Arachidonic A.
C 18:2
C 20:4
Where:
Ai = percentage of i-th Fatty Acid
mwi = molecular weight of i-th Fatty Acid
mpi = melting point of i-th Fatty Acid

B2 ≈ +0.25PA -0.02LA -0.16AA


Let’s plot B2 Values in ADAM.
Grafico a Linee di Livello 3D (pesi 6v*402c)
B2 = Minimi Quadrati Pesati con Distanze B2
20

18

16

14

12
Y
10

8

6 6
5
4
4
3
2
2 1
0
-1
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 -2
X

B2 seems to be consistent with Depression trend!


Conclusion
20
B2 = Minimi Quadrati Pesati con Distanze
B2
Grafico a Linee di Livello 3D (pesi 6v*402c)

18

16

14

12

Y
10

8

6 6
5
4 4
3
2
2 1
0
-1
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 -2
X

B2 index suggests:
DEPRESSION DIAGNOSIS SEEMS TO
BE LINKED TO THE LEVEL OF
SATURATION (viscosity, mobility?) OF
THE PLATELET MEMBRANE.


CHAPTER 1 - Conclusion

At least in the population investigated:

1) ANN (see ADAM) can express a diagnosis of
Depression using AA, LA and PA.
2) These 3 Fatty Acids seem to rule the world of
Depression in Platelets, according to the level of
saturation-unsaturation (“viscosity”, “mobility” ?) they
lead to.

Chapter 2: the G Protein

Let’s start from the “G PROTEIN”
“cell membrane proteins that are coupled
to cell surface receptors...”

β γ
α

G Protein seems to be involved in Psychiatric
Pathologies such as Mood Disorders and Depression

WHY?

G PROTEIN dynamics
(toy model)
LIGAND

1) LIGAND reaches the receptor
β γ
α

α β γ
2) GTP reaches the Protein
GTP

β γ
3) Activation of Gα subunit
α

cAMP signaling pathway
(toy model)

β γ

Adenylyl
α + cyclase
cAMP …

International scientific literature reports abnormalities
in the cAMP signaling cascade of the human brain in
suicide and depressive subjects for over two decades
(Cowburn et al., 1994; Pacheco et al., 1996; Dowlatshahi et al., 1999; Stewart et al., 2001; Dwivedi et al.,
2002, 2004; Pandey et al., 2005).

This could be a possible link!

Gα subunit activation: conditions
LIGAND
Gα subunit activation depends on:

α β γ 2) Presence of Ligand
GTP
3) Presence of GTP

According to M. Rasenick (*)
there is a THIRD CONDITION:

The position of Gα (Gsα in particular) within
the LIPID RAFT MICRODOMAIN
(*) Donati et al. Depression, Gs, and Lipid Rafts. J. Neurosci., March 19, 2008. 28(12):3042–3050

The Lipid Raft
Lipid rafts are:
“specialized structures on the plasma membrane that have an altered
lipid composition as well as links to the cytoskeleton”.
G Protein

γ
α β

Lipid Raft microdomain Cell membrane lipid bilayer

So…
Raft localization of GSα serves as
biomarker for neurological and
psychiatric diseases.
Allen JA, Halverson-Tamboli RA,Rasenick MM. Lipid raft microdomains and neurotransmitter signalling. Reviews, Nature, Vol 8, Feb 2007.

from Brain… …to Platelet

“Raft localization of Gsα
in human peripheral tissue [maybe
platelet(*)] may thus serve as a
biomarker for depression”
Donati et al. Depression, Gs, and Lipid Rafts. J. Neurosci., March 19, 2008. 28(12):3042–3050

(*)“Studies using human platelets suggest that…”
(Mooney et al., 1988, 1998; Garcia-Sevilla et al., 1990; Pandey et al., 1990a,b; Menninger and Tabakoff, 1997;
Menninger et al., 2000; Hoffman et al., 2002; Hines and Tabakoff, 2005).

The Hypothesis

DEPRESSION
DIAGNOSIS
Rasenick evaluates: Cocchi and Tonello evaluate:
Gsα within the Lipid Raft Platelet Membrane fatty acid
Microdomain (structures with composition and its level of
altered lipid composition thus saturation, thus “viscosity”,
“viscosity”) within a brain cell through B2.
membrane and in platelet.

ARE THESE APPROACHES DIFFERENT
MEASURES OF THE SAME THING?

The Hypothesis
G Protein

γ
α β

Lipid Raft microdomain Cell membrane lipid bilayer

Is Cocchi & Tonello’s work an indirect
measure of the G Protein status
as well as Rasenick’s?

Cocchi & Tonello: Rasenick:
Cell membrane G Protein
platelet membrane Cell membrane lipid
composition STATUS Raft domain

What a coincidence!?
“G proteins could be targeted to raft domains by
several mechanisms. The most plausible mechanism is
that Gα subunits are subject to palmitoylation…”
Allen JA, Halverson-Tamboli RA,Rasenick MM. Lipid raft microdomains and neurotransmitter signalling. Reviews,
Nature, Vol 8, Feb 2007.

Palmitoylation: the covalent attachment of fatty acids, such as
Palmitic Acid, to cysteine residues of membrane proteins.

Palmitic Acid is one of the 3 fatty acids (together with
Arachidonic and Linoleic) used by ADAM as marker.

Palmitic Acid has a key role both
in raft domain dynamics
and in ADAM working!

MOREOVER
“…an extensive body of scientific evidence suggest
that PUFAs affect cellular functions by modulating
the structure and function of specific lipid domains,
such as lipid rafts, within the plasma membrane(1).
A number of recent in vitro studies using model
membranes and cell culture systems have
demonstrated that PUFAs can greatly reduce raft
formation and can displace signalling proteins (2,3)”
Sottocornola E, Berra B, Progress in Nutrition Vol. 10, N. 4, 210-213,2008

1)Chen W, Jump DB, Essekman WJ, Busik JV. Inibition of cytokine signalling in human retinal endothelial cells through
modification of caveolae/lipid rafts by decosaexaenoic acid. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis Sci 2007; 48: 18-26
2) Stulnig TM, Berger M, Sigmund T, Raederstorff D, Stockinger H, Walhausl W. Polyunseturated Faty Acids inhibit T
cell signal transduction by modification of detergent-insoluble membrane domains. J Cell Biol 1998; 143: 637-44
3) Stulnig TM, Huber J, Leitinger N. Polyunsaturated eicosapentaenoic acid displaces proteins from membrane rafts by
altering raft lipid composition. J Biol Chem 2001; 276: 37335-40

Chapter 3: Consciousness
Summarizing Chapter 1 and 2:
According to Cocchi & Tonello (*), FAs (Arachidonic, Palmitic
and Linoleic Acid in particular) are strongly linked to
MD, Suicide, Mood Disorder and so on.

FATTY E MAJOR
DEPRESSION,
ACIDS
ETC.

* Cocchi M and Tonello L. Biological, Biochemical and Mathematical considerations about the use of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for the
study of the connection between Platelet Fatty Acids and Major Depression. J Biol Res 2006; LXXXI, 82-87.
Cocchi M and Tonello L. Platelets, Fatty Acids, Depression and Cardiovascular Ischemic Pathology. Progress in Nutrition 2007; 9 (2): 94-104.
Cocchi M and Tonello L. Depressione Maggiore e Patologia Cardiovascolare Ischemica. Un Network fra piastrine, cuore e cervello. Reti Neurali
Artificiali, potenzialità predittiva di alcuni acidi grassi della membrana piastrinica. Bologna; CLUEB. 2007.
Cocchi M, Tonello L, Tsaluchidu S, Puri BK. The use of artificial neural networks to study fatty acids in neuropsychiatric disorders. BMC Psychiatry
2008; 8 (Suppl 1):S3. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-8-S1-S3.
Cocchi M, Tonello L, De Lucia A, Amato P. Platelet and Brain Fatty Acids: a model for the classifcation of the animals? Part 1. International Journal of
Anthropology 2009; 24(1) :69-76.
Cocchi M, Tonello L, Cappello G et al., Biochemical Markers in Major Depression as interface between Neuronal Network and Artificial Neural
Network (ANN). J Biol Res 2006; 81: 77-81.

Summarizing Chapter 1 and 2:
According to Rasenick (*), G Protein dynamic is strongly linked
to MD, Suicide, Mood Disorder and so on.

G Protein
E MAJOR
DEPRESSION,
ETC.

* Allen JA, Halverson-Tamboli RA, Rasenick MM. Lipid raft microdomains and neurotransmitter
signalling. Nature 2007; 8: 128-40.

Donati RJ, Dwivedi Y, Roberts RC, Conley RR, Pandey GN, Rasenick MM. Postmortem brain
tissue of depressed suicides reveals increased Gs alpha
localization in lipid raft domains where it is less likely to activate adenylyl cyclase. J
Neurosci 2008; 28(12):3042-50.

Summarizing…
Just call FAs and/or G Protein: “Cell Membrane”

FATTY E
ACIDS

MAJOR
H DEPRESSION,
ETC.

G Protein
E

Summarizing
According to Cocchi & Tonello, FAs (Arachidonic, Palmitic and Linoleic Acid)
According to Rasenick, G Protein Dynamics
are strongly linked to Depression, Mood Disorder, Suicide

CELL E MAJOR
DEPRESSION,
MEMBRANE
ETC.

Consciousness: quantum models
There exist many quantum models. Maybe, the most notable are:

The “Orch OR” Model
OR
(Hameroff S, 1996, 98;Penrose R, 1994)

Thermofield Brain Dynamics (TBD)
TBD
(Globus, 2003; 2009; Jibu and Yasue, 1995; Vitiello, 2001)

Bernroider “Ion Channels”
(Bernroider, 1999; 2003; 2004; 2005; Summhammer, 2007)

Other clues: Stapp’s idea, etc.
(Stapp, 2005; etc.)

The Orch OR model: introduction
In the mid 90s, Roger Penrose and Stuart
Hameroff present the “Orch OR” model.
Hameroff, S.R., & Penrose, R., (1996) Orchestrated reduction of quantum coherence in brain microtubules: A model for
consciousness. In: Toward a Science of Consciousness - The First Tucson Discussions and Debates. (Hameroff, S.R.,
Kaszniak, and Scott, A.C., eds.), pp. 507-540, MIT Press. Also published in Mathematics and Computers in Simulation
(1996) 40:453-480.
Hameroff, S.R., & Penrose, R. (1996) Conscious events as orchestrated spacetime selections. Journal of Consciousness
Studies 3(1):36‑53

Some topics:

Let’s consider the Cytoskeleton:
a web of protein polymers
inside the neuron.

Schematic of central region of neuron
(distal axon and dendrites not shown)
showing parallel arrayed microtubules
interconnected by MAPs.

From Cytoskeleton to Tubulin

The Cytoskeleton is made up of
microtubules interconnected by MAPs.

Microtubules are structure of Tubulin
subunits, a 8 nanometer dimer.

The Orch OR model: tubulin
According to the Orch OR model,
Tubulin is the fundamental brick of consciousness.

The conscious event would be
the effect of complex quantum
computations involving
Tubulin and Microtubules as
main actors

Cytoskeleton, Tubulin, Microtubules and Fatty Acids
Cytoskeleton, Microtubules and Tubulin dynamics
are strongly linked to Fatty Acids dynamics (*).

Cytoskeleton
Microtubules
L FATTY
ACIDS
Tubulin

* Han X, Smith NL, Sil D, Holowka DA, McLafferty FW, Baird BA. IgE receptor-mediated
alteration of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions revealed by mass spectrometric analysis of
detergent-resistant membranes. Biochemistry 2009; 48(27):6540-50.

Bok E, Hryniewicz-Jankowska A, Sikorski AF. The interactions of actin cell and membrane
skeleton proteins with lipids. Postepy Biochem 2009; 55(2):207-22.

Cytoskeleton, Tubulin, Microtubules and G Protein
Cytoskeleton, Microtubules and Tubulin dynamics
are strongly linked to G Protein dynamics (*).

Cytoskeleton
Microtubules
L G Protein
Tubulin

* Layden BT, Saengsawang W, Donati RJ, Yang S, Mulhearn DC, Johnson ME, Rasenick MM.
Structural model of a complex between the heterotrimeric G protein, Gsalpha, and tubulin. Biochim
Biophys Acta. 2008 Jun;1783(6):964-73. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Sukla Roychowdhury, Dulal Panda, Leslie Wilson, and Mark M. Rasenick. G Protein Subunits
Activate Tubulin GTPase and Modulate Microtubule Polymerization Dynamics J Biol Chem, Vol.
274, Issue 19, 13485-13490, May 7, 1999

Summarizing…
Cell Membrane is linked to the “Orch. OR” model
OR

The
“Orch OR”
OR
Model
Cytoskeleton
Microtubules
L CELL
MEMBRANE
Tubulin
(Hameroff S, 1996, 98;
Penrose R, 1994)


OR CELL
(Hameroff S, 1996, 98;Penrose R, 1994) MEMBRANE

TBD
(Globus, 2003; 2009; Jibu and Yasue, 1995; Vitiello, 2001)


(Stapp, 2005; etc.)

Many important authors are working on...
…in the words of Globus (*):

TBD has its roots in the
“Quantum Electrodynamics of the brain’s
water dipole field inside the microtubules”
microtubules

* Globus G. Toward a quantum psychiatry: hallucination, thought insertion and DSM.
NeuroQuantology 2010; 8(1): 1-12.

According to the TBD model:

The neuronal
a coherent
cytoskeleton
water dipole
INTERACTS
WITH field

According to the TBD model:

The neuronal
cytoskeleton
It has a leading role!

So, the same considerations discussed above, linking
microtubules within the Orch OR model and membrane FAs,
can easily be extended to TBD!
TBD

Summarizing…
Cell Membrane is linked to the “TBD” model
TBD

The
“TBD”
TBD
Model
Cytoskeleton
Microtubules
L CELL
MEMBRANE
(Globus, 2003; 2009;
Tubulin
Jibu and Yasue, 1995;
Vitiello, 2001)

Actually, other points of contact are present, e.g.:
According to Vitiello (*), the
brain can be modelled as a mixed system
involving two separate but interacting levels

THE MEMORY ELECTROCHEMICAL
LEVEL ACTIVITY
INTERACT
QUANTUM DYNAMICAL CLASSICAL LEVEL

* G Vitiello G. Quantum dissipation and information: a route to consciousness modeling.
NeuroQuantology 2003; 2: 266-279.

According to Vitiello:
Glial cells… may constitute a link between the two levels

THE MEMORY GLIAL ELECTROCHEMICAL
LEVEL CELLS ACTIVITY
INTERACT
QUANTUM DYNAMICAL CLASSICAL LEVEL

* G Vitiello G. Quantum dissipation and information: a route to consciousness modeling.
NeuroQuantology 2003; 2: 266-279.

…and Glial cells are closely realted to FAs

GLIAL FATTY
closely related
CELLS ACIDS

For example:
astrocytes, are deeply involved
in arachidonic acid production.
The
“TBD”
TBD Glial CELL
Model Cells MEMBRANE
(Globus, 2003; 2009;
Jibu and Yasue, 1995;
Vitiello, 2001)


OR CELL

TBD CELL
(Globus, 2003; 2009; Jibu and Yasue, 1995; Vitiello, 2001) MEMBRANE


(Stapp, 2005; etc.)

Bernroider Ion Channels
Bernroider’s conception of quantum brain function
is built upon voltage controlled ion channels

the classical view on gating has to be changed
with respect to the high-resolution structure
elucidated by MacKinnon’s group
(Zhou, 2001; Morais-Cabral, 2001; Jiang, 2003)

* Bernroider G. and Roy S. Quantum entanglement of K ions, multiple channel states and the role of
noise in the brain. SPIE 2005; 5841 (29):205-14..

Bernroider Ion Channels
In particular, in the ”paddle-model”, the transition moment
paddle-model
couples with the neighbouring lipids of the channel protein

This view is gaining strong support from an increasing number of studies
demonstrating that protein surrounding lipids engage in the control of
voltage gated Kv channels (*)

* Oliver D, Lien C-C, Soom M, Baukrowitz T, Jonas P, Fakler B. Functional conversion
between A-type and delayed rectifier K+ channels by membrane lipids. Science 2004; 304,
265-270.


OR CELL

TBD CELL

Bernroider “Ion Channels” CELL
(Bernroider, 1999; 2003; 2004; 2005; Summhammer, 2007) MEMBRANE

(Stapp, 2005; etc.)

Stapp’s model
Many other mind-brain quantum theories show connections,
coupling, and direct or indirect links to FAs. As an example:

Stapp’s model of consciousness (*)
consider it as quantum Zeno effect locating
quantum dynamics within the Ca2+ ion channel

This model clearly relates to membrane FAs,
in particular Arachidonic Acid
Roberts-Crowley ML, Mitra-Ganguli T, Liu L, Rittenhouse AR.
Regulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by lipids. Cell Calcium 2009; 45(6):589-60.

* Stapp HP. Quantum interactive dualism. Journal of Consciousness Studies 2005; 12(11):43–58.


OR CELL

TBD CELL

Bernroider “Ion Channels” CELL
(Bernroider, 1999; 2003; 2004; 2005; Summhammer, 2007) MEMBRANE

Other clues: Stapp’s idea, etc. CELL
(Stapp, 2005; etc.) MEMBRANE

Chapter 4: Conclusion
From Consciousness..
So, Cell Membrane is linked to any quantum model of consciousness…

OR

L
Thermofield Brain Dynamics
(TBD)
TBD
CELL
MEMBRANE


From Consciousness..
So, Cell Membrane is linked to any quantum model of consciousness…

OR

L
(TBD)
TBD
CELL
MEMBRANE


CONSCIOUSNE
SS

…to Psychiatry
…but Cell Membrane is linked to Psychiatry, as well…

CELL E MAJOR
DEPRESSION,
MEMBRANE
ETC.

PSYCHIATRY

From Consciousness... To Psychiatry
So…

OR

(TBD)
TBD MAJOR
CELL DEPRESSION,
MEMBRANE
Bernroider “Ion Channels” ETC.


CONSCIOUSNE PSYCHIATRY
SS

Cell membrane: is it a bridge
from Consciousness to Psychiatry?

OR

(TBD)
TBD MAJOR
CELL DEPRESSION,
MEMBRANE
Bernroider “Ion Channels” ETC.


CONSCIOUSNE PSYCHIATRY
SS
Tonello L. and Cocchi M. The Cell Membrane: is it a bridge from psychiatry to quantum consciousness?
NeuroQuantology. March 2010. Vol 8. Issue 1. Page 54‐60.

CONCLUSION

L E
CONSCIOUSNE CELL PSYCHIATRY
MEMBRANE
SS

Rasenick refers different G Protein status in
Depressive Suicidal versus Not-Suicidal dead Subjects.
Donati et al. Depression, Gs, and Lipid Rafts. J. Neurosci., March 19, 2008. 28(12):3042–3050

.. and G Protein Dynamics is closely related to
consciousness models (at least the main)

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

IS A SUICIDAL,
AT LEAST IN THE MOMENT
HE IS KILLING HIMSELF,
A SUBJECT IN AN ALTERED
STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS?

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

Cocchi and Tonello refer different FAs profiles in
Depressive versus Healthy Subjects.
Cocchi M and Tonello L. Platelets, Fatty Acids, Depression and Cardiovascular Ischemic Pathology. Progress in
Nutrition 2007; 9 (2): 94-104.

.. and FAs profiles are closely related to
consciousness models (at least the main)

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

IS A DEPRESSIVE,
A SUBJECT IN AN ALTERED
STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS?

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

May we consider Psychiatry as the study of
altered states of consciousness?
If so,
consciousness models can help psychiatry and
psyichiatry can help consciousness models

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

If so…
If we have a tool providing a measure of the
depressed state, not in a dichotomous
manner (simply present or not present) but
in a continuous fashion, then will we thereby be
able to “measure consciousness”?

CONCLUSION

L E
MEMBRANE
SS

For example:

LOW
RISK
It’s a tool for depression
NO
RISK DEPRESSION diagnosis, in a continuous
HIGH
fashion
RISK

CONCLUSION

For example: WHAT ARE WE
MEASURING
LOW
RISK
HERE?
NO
RISK DEPRESSION

HIGH The Depressive state,
RISK
Consciousness?

CONCLUSION

…maybe, just …

…THE LONG SHADOW
OVER THE SOUL!
Thank you!

Slides not shown

In the first experiment shown, populations investigated are
different in age…

Remark
Populations are different!
Works have been done without takeing fully into account
Gender, Age and Medications! Somtimes they are different
(between populations). Why?
• Authors are searching STRONG BIOMARKERS, a STRONG
EVIDENCE in any case stronger than other variables like
Gender, Sex and Medications.
• Literature about Serotonin uptake and release refers that Platelet
changes “could not be explained by age, sex, or medication
variables” in schizophrenia and affective disorders (*).
• Validation on groups with the same Age, Gender and
Medications will be done, anyway, secondly.
(*) Stahl SM, Woo DJ, Mefford IN, Berger PA, Ciaranello RD. Hyperserotonemia and platelet serotonin uptake and
release in schizophrenia and affective disorders. Am J Psychiatry. 1983 Jan;140(1):26-30.

CONCLUSION

For example:
WHAT ARE WE
LOW
RISK
MEASURING
NO
HERE?
RISK DEPRESSION

HIGH
RISK
WHAT’S THE
UNIT?

CONCLUSION

For example:
ARE WE MEASURING,
LOW
RISK
SOMEHOW,
NO
CONSCIOUSNESS?
RISK DEPRESSION

HIGH
RISK
IS IT BLOOD THE
“MIRROR OF SOUL”?

CONCLUSION

For example: WE DON’T KNOW IF
IT’S ABLE TO
LOW MEASURE OUR SOUL.
RISK
NO
RISK DEPRESSION

HIGH WHAT WE HOPE IS
RISK THAT IT COULD HELP
TO MEASURE…

Depression Linked to Fatty Acids and Membrane Viscosity

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Depression Linked to Fatty Acids and Membrane Viscosity