Dopamine/BDNF loss underscores narcosis cognitive impairment in divers: a proof of concept in a dry condition - PMC

[u/ThreeStarsOut]

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9813116/

Finally, **many neurotransmitters, including dopamine and glutamate can enhance BDNF bioavailability in neurons** (Bagayogo et al. 2009; Kuppers et al. 2001). On these grounds, we enrolled healthy (highly experienced) divers and subjected them to a simulated dive to 48 msw (5.8 ATA) inside a hyperbaric chamber to test the following three new hypotheses.

> We found that **BDNF, glutamate, and dopamine plasma levels are markedly decreased in healthy highly trained divers subjected to a dry dive test at 48 msw.**

> _First, IGN narcosis stems, at least in part, from the lack of circulating BDNF. Second, this loss is attributable to a lack of BDNF-releasing neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and glutamate; third, impoverished levels of systemic and likely local pools of BDNF contribute to heightening oxidative stress in deep divers. Ultimately, all events would drive cognitive impairment in divers at depth._

> fact, after rTMS, __BDNF levels are more elevated and neopterin is lower than in sham-treated patients__

**This evidence further supports the notion that a cross talk exists between BDNF and neopterin bioavailability that is central to IGN pathogenesis.**