Hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs, appears to help protect brain cells against Alzheimer's disease in mouse models.
A new study reports on the role gasotransmitters play in behavior and psychology.
Researchers have discovered a potential new way to reduce levels of hydrogen sulfide in rats' brains. Decreasing H2S levels decreases the damage the toxic gas can cause, and ultimately may pave the way for the development of new treatments for dementia and epilepsy.
Mouse models and human postmortem brain tissue sample studies reveal a subtype of schizophrenia is related to abnormally high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the brain. Hair follicle analysis of patients with this schizophrenia subtype revealed higher expression of MPST mRNA than in those without the condition. MPST is linked to the production of hydrogen sulfide. The findings may lead to new tests to determine if a patient has the schizophrenia subtype from a simple hair sample analysis.
