Migraines, Erection and Butter Scotch

Scientists at the University of Leicester are researching how Nitric Oxide (NO) acts to regulate brain function. Specifically, to see if there's any potential in NO for treatments of migraine, chronic pain, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease, sciencedaily reports.

Nitric oxide or nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of mammals, including humans. Its primary known function is that the inner lining of blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus resulting in vasodilation and increasing blood flow.

This particular function of NO is exploited in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, notably by pharmaceutical drugs such as Viagra or Cialis.

However, the above mentioned scientists asked themselves a question: “Nitric oxide synthesizing enzymes are widely expressed in brain cells... Why is a molecule that can produce penile erections necessary in the brain?”

Apparently, nitric oxide produced by a cell ‘listening’ to its synapses (junctions between brain cells) can change the message received from the incoming ‘talking’ cell.

Too much or too little NO present in those synapses would alter that incoming message. If this brain cell communication goes wrong for a while, interestingly painful syndromes will occur. They include, but not limited to - migraine, chronic pain and epilepsy.

The good scientists have not shared with us more than their intention to learn more about "Understanding how brain cells communicate" by concentrating on Nitric Oxide since it does appear to be "a fundamental signaling molecule".

Here's hoping that their research will lead to something more that just Viagra 2.0. If they want to do that, they could simply add butter-scotch flavor to the darn thing.


link: Health Benefits Of Molecule Associated With Male Sexual Arousal Examined