Leptin And Bipolar Disorder

How can leptin be linked to bipolar disoder?

Leptin, a protein hormone that greatly affects the regulation of body weight in terms of metabolism and reproductive function, is one of the possible factors that affect the development of bipolar disorder.

Known as a protein product of the gene that is a key player in the regulation of the person's body fat, leptin is linked to bipolar disorder because of its lipoatrophic effect. Known to result to 30 to 50 percent loss of food intake, minimal increase in weight, loss of body fat and a sustained hyperlipidemia over the study period, leptin continues to be under study because it can play a major role in regulating the insulin levels of the body.

This protein-which is approximately 16 kDa in mass-is expressed predominantly by adipocytes. Leptin, which are secreted by the cells in the epithelium of a person's stomach and in the placenta, are also highly expressed in areas of the hypothalamus as well as in T lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells-where there are leptin receptors.

Experts say that leptin can cause great physiological and psychological effects because it regulates food intake that control the body's energy expenditure and weight. It is believed that leptin is a significant component in the long-term regulation of body weight because it can provide the body with an index of nutritional status. Based on studies, leptin's effects on a person's body weight are usually mediated through effects on hypothalamic centers that control an individual's feeding behavior and appetite, body temperature and energy expenditure.

Today, the mechanisms by which leptin exerts its effects on metabolism are largely unknown and are quite complex. Aside from physiological effects, leptin can also adversely affect the reproductive function of the body. If there is a lack of leptin in the body, it can affect the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and eventually lutenize the follicle-stimulating hormones from a person's anterior pituitary.

LEPTIN AND BIPOLAR DISORDER

Experts also agree that the effect of leptin is not confined to the regulation of body fat or insulin but also to a diverse group of cells of a person. Being a cytokine, leptin targets various cells in the body that can possibly lead to disease such bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder-a mental condition that severely affects a person's behavior-is one the illnesses that can be hard to determine. Characterized by over productiveness, sudden irrationality, and being unreasonable can destroy a person's life, family and career if it is not diagnosed and treated properly.

Because of the erratic mood swings and shifts in the pattern of a person suffering from this disease, experts say that bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose. The variations in a person's attitude make it a more complex disease to treat as well because some people show the signs of and depression that usually last for weeks, months, and even for years but for some, the disease only attacks with frequent but dramatic mood shifts.

According to studies, aside from dramatic mood shifts and changes, there is actually a whole spectrum of symptoms characterized by bipolar disorder. Some of these can be productive but can lead to catastrophic results once the mania or depression sets in because it can lead to death or suicide. So it is better if you recognize the problem and seek professional help from a psychiatrist as soon as possible.

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