Abstract
Evidence links dopamine release in the mid-brain to the pathophysiology of psychosis, addiction and reward. Repeated ingestion of refined carbohydrate may stimulate the same mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, rewarding such eating behaviour and resulting in excessive food intake along with obesity. In this paper, we explore the role of dopamine in reward and psychosis, and discuss how reward pathways may contribute to the weight gain that commonly follows antipsychotic drug use, in people with psychotic illness. Our theory also explains the frequent co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychosis. From our hypothesis, we discuss the use of carbohydrate modified diets as an adjunctive treatment for people with psychosis.
Keywords: Antipsychotic agents, addictive behaviours, glycemic index, carbohydrates
Current Neuropharmacology
Title: Carbohydrate Reward and Psychosis: An Explanation For Neuroleptic Induced Weight Gain and Path to Improved Mental Health?
Volume: 9 Issue: 2
Author(s): Simon Thornley, Bruce Russell and Rob Kydd
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antipsychotic agents, addictive behaviours, glycemic index, carbohydrates
Abstract: Evidence links dopamine release in the mid-brain to the pathophysiology of psychosis, addiction and reward. Repeated ingestion of refined carbohydrate may stimulate the same mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, rewarding such eating behaviour and resulting in excessive food intake along with obesity. In this paper, we explore the role of dopamine in reward and psychosis, and discuss how reward pathways may contribute to the weight gain that commonly follows antipsychotic drug use, in people with psychotic illness. Our theory also explains the frequent co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychosis. From our hypothesis, we discuss the use of carbohydrate modified diets as an adjunctive treatment for people with psychosis.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Thornley Simon, Russell Bruce and Kydd Rob, Carbohydrate Reward and Psychosis: An Explanation For Neuroleptic Induced Weight Gain and Path to Improved Mental Health?, Current Neuropharmacology 2011; 9 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157015911795596513
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157015911795596513 |
Print ISSN 1570-159X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6190 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Procyanidins and Their Healthy Protective Effects Against Type 2 Diabetes
Current Medicinal Chemistry subject Index To Volume 3
Current Drug Targets Pharmacologic Approach to Heart Failure in Children
Current Cardiology Reviews Tetracyclines: Drugs with Huge Therapeutic Potential
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of the Endothelium in Premature Atherosclerosis: Molecular Mechanisms
Current Medicinal Chemistry BK Channel Modulators: A Comprehensive Overview
Current Medicinal Chemistry Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Is Type D Personality Here to Stay? Emerging Evidence Across Cardiovascular Disease Patient Groups
Current Cardiology Reviews Current Approaches for the Treatment with Thyroid Hormone Analogs
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Leptin as a Cardiac Pro-Hypertrophic Factor and its Potential Role in the Development of Heart Failure
Current Pharmaceutical Design α-Fluorinated Ethers as “Exotic” Entity in Medicinal Chemistry
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Analysis of Homocysteine in Plasma of Rats Exposed to High-fat Diet and Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress by LC/ESI-MS/MS
Current Analytical Chemistry Antithrombotic Therapy After TAVR
Current Vascular Pharmacology Statins: The Holy Grail of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Growth Attenuation? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Current Vascular Pharmacology Statins and Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of the Methoxyphenol Apocynin, a Vascular NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor, as a Chemopreventative Agent in the Potential Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Vascular Pharmacology Polymorphism in Endothelin-1 Gene: An Overview
Current Clinical Pharmacology Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genes of Mitochondrial Components in Cancer
Current Genomics Immunologic Considerations in Heart Transplantation for Congenital Heart Disease
Current Cardiology Reviews Editorial [Hot Topic: Applications of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers in Pharmacology and Therapy: An Update (Executive Editor: Agostino Molteni)]
Current Pharmaceutical Design