Researchers found that sodium, the main content of common salt acts like an on and off switch for the receptor in the brain responsible for its smooth functioning.
Though physicians commonly recommend the reduction of salt intake, sodium present is salt is essential for all humans to maintain their health. However, the intake of sodium should be restricted to recommended levels.
Researchers of a new study found another added benefit of sodium which plays an important role in the smooth functioning of the brain. In the study, researchers found that sodium acts like an on and off switch for the kainate receptor which is responsible for the smooth functioning of the brain and is implicated in numerous diseases, such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
"It has been assumed for decades that the "on/off" switch for all brain receptors lies where the neurotransmitter binds," says Prof. Bowie, who also holds a Canada Research Chair in Receptor Pharmacology. "However, we found a completely separate site that binds individual atoms of sodium and controls when kainate receptors get turned on and off."
Researchers noted that this sodium switch was unique to the kainate receptors. Drugs designed to stimulate this switch should not affect any other part of the brain. Bowie also revealed that this discovery is very crucial for drug manufacturers as most drugs available today are designed to affect many locations in the brain at the same time. This sometimes causes negative side effects. A proper balance of kainate receptors is essential for the normal functioning of the brain.
"Now that we know how to stimulate kainate receptors, we should be able to design drugs to essentially switch them off," says Dr. Bowie.
