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Neuronal Hyperexcitability: Significance, Cause, and Diversity of Clinical Expression

Received: 8 September 2021     Accepted: 30 September 2021     Published: 15 October 2021
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Abstract

Although the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders remains unclear, an emerging hypothesis contends that most of the common psychiatric disorders are rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. Particularly under the influence of stress, too many neurons fire for too long, resulting in pathologically severe and persistent symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, inattention, and obsessional thinking. However, these symptoms are just a small sampling of the many ways that neuronal hyperexcitability can be expressed. According to the Multi-Circuit Neuronal (MCNH) Hypothesis of Psychiatric Disorders, the trait can also be expressed as overly aggressive behavior, disruptive behavior, risky behavior, promiscuous behavior, avoidant behavior, self-injurious behavior, deviant behavior, addictive behavior, and criminal behavior. In essence, any behavioral extreme is likely to be rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. The importance of recognizing this is that the abnormality, though highly treatable, is commonly overlooked and either mismanaged or poorly managed. Also, there is emerging evidence that the neuronal hyperexcitability trait, which appears to be heritable as a single nucleotide polymorphism, may be detectable by simply measuring one’s resting vital signs. If proven to be correct, these findings could incentivize carriers to develop prophylactic strategies early in life. The importance of this is immense, not only because it could reduce the risk of developing psychiatric and substance use disorders but also because it could have a protective effect against developing any of a wide range of general medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and dementia. This article explores the many faces of neuronal hyperexcitability in an effort to increase awareness of this highly prevalent but elusive neurophysiological abnormality.

Published in American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16
Page(s) 157-167
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Neuronal Hyperexcitability, Clinical Manifestations, Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Anticonvulsants, Neuroregulators

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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Michael Raymond Binder. (2021). Neuronal Hyperexcitability: Significance, Cause, and Diversity of Clinical Expression. American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 9(5), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16

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    ACS Style

    Michael Raymond Binder. Neuronal Hyperexcitability: Significance, Cause, and Diversity of Clinical Expression. Am. J. Clin. Exp. Med. 2021, 9(5), 157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16

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    AMA Style

    Michael Raymond Binder. Neuronal Hyperexcitability: Significance, Cause, and Diversity of Clinical Expression. Am J Clin Exp Med. 2021;9(5):157-167. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16,
      author = {Michael Raymond Binder},
      title = {Neuronal Hyperexcitability: Significance, Cause, and Diversity of Clinical Expression},
      journal = {American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine},
      volume = {9},
      number = {5},
      pages = {157-167},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20210905.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajcem.20210905.16},
      abstract = {Although the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders remains unclear, an emerging hypothesis contends that most of the common psychiatric disorders are rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. Particularly under the influence of stress, too many neurons fire for too long, resulting in pathologically severe and persistent symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, inattention, and obsessional thinking. However, these symptoms are just a small sampling of the many ways that neuronal hyperexcitability can be expressed. According to the Multi-Circuit Neuronal (MCNH) Hypothesis of Psychiatric Disorders, the trait can also be expressed as overly aggressive behavior, disruptive behavior, risky behavior, promiscuous behavior, avoidant behavior, self-injurious behavior, deviant behavior, addictive behavior, and criminal behavior. In essence, any behavioral extreme is likely to be rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. The importance of recognizing this is that the abnormality, though highly treatable, is commonly overlooked and either mismanaged or poorly managed. Also, there is emerging evidence that the neuronal hyperexcitability trait, which appears to be heritable as a single nucleotide polymorphism, may be detectable by simply measuring one’s resting vital signs. If proven to be correct, these findings could incentivize carriers to develop prophylactic strategies early in life. The importance of this is immense, not only because it could reduce the risk of developing psychiatric and substance use disorders but also because it could have a protective effect against developing any of a wide range of general medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and dementia. This article explores the many faces of neuronal hyperexcitability in an effort to increase awareness of this highly prevalent but elusive neurophysiological abnormality.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    AU  - Michael Raymond Binder
    Y1  - 2021/10/15
    PY  - 2021
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    JF  - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
    JO  - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
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    AB  - Although the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders remains unclear, an emerging hypothesis contends that most of the common psychiatric disorders are rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. Particularly under the influence of stress, too many neurons fire for too long, resulting in pathologically severe and persistent symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, inattention, and obsessional thinking. However, these symptoms are just a small sampling of the many ways that neuronal hyperexcitability can be expressed. According to the Multi-Circuit Neuronal (MCNH) Hypothesis of Psychiatric Disorders, the trait can also be expressed as overly aggressive behavior, disruptive behavior, risky behavior, promiscuous behavior, avoidant behavior, self-injurious behavior, deviant behavior, addictive behavior, and criminal behavior. In essence, any behavioral extreme is likely to be rooted in an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system. The importance of recognizing this is that the abnormality, though highly treatable, is commonly overlooked and either mismanaged or poorly managed. Also, there is emerging evidence that the neuronal hyperexcitability trait, which appears to be heritable as a single nucleotide polymorphism, may be detectable by simply measuring one’s resting vital signs. If proven to be correct, these findings could incentivize carriers to develop prophylactic strategies early in life. The importance of this is immense, not only because it could reduce the risk of developing psychiatric and substance use disorders but also because it could have a protective effect against developing any of a wide range of general medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and dementia. This article explores the many faces of neuronal hyperexcitability in an effort to increase awareness of this highly prevalent but elusive neurophysiological abnormality.
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 5
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Author Information
  • Department of Psychiatry, North Shore University Health System, Highland Park, USA

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