Biochemical Changes in the Brain and Metabolism as Risk Factors of Neurological Disorders

Abstract

This paper aims to examine theories that attempt to explain biochemical changes in the brain as well as the metabolism of individuals who experience symptoms and conditions related to neurological disorders like depression. A systematic literature search was performed on NCBI and PubMed. The search included the keywords neurological disorders, monoamine hypothesis, metabolic syndrome, oxytocin receptor, dietary health, and magnesium intake. Twenty-five research articles met the criteria for the literature review of this examination. In particular, this paper will review multiple studies that investigate the monoamine (MAO) hypothesis of depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a risk factor for neurological disorders. While studies that evaluate additional risk factors for neurological disorders, such as autoimmunity and rheumatic diseases, oxytocin receptor (OXTR) DNA methylation in postpartum depression, dietary health in children and their psychological health, and dietary magnesium and cardiovascular disease, will be reviewed as well.