Paula and I get updates regarding new research papers coming out every day. We are especially interested in the research results coming out of neurology and neuropsychiatric journals.

This update came just this morning .

Astrocytes derived from patients with bipolar disorder malfunction

Date:March 4, 2021 Source: Cell Press Summary:

Cells called astrocytes derived from the induced pluripotent stem cells of patients with bipolar disorder offer suboptimal support for neuronal activity. This malfunction can be traced to an inflammation-promoting molecule called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is secreted by astrocytes. The results highlight the potential role of astrocyte-mediated inflammatory signaling in the psychiatric disease, although further investigation is needed. Journal Reference: Krishna C. Vadodaria et al. Altered Neuronal Support and Inflammatory Response in Bipolar Disorder Patient-Derived Astrocytes. Stem Cell Reports, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.02.004

Over our usual Zoom coffee meeting, Paula and I searched to see whether IL-6 , mentioned above, had anything to do with hypercapnia or retention of PCO2 in the blood. We had no idea, of course.

It turns out that elevated CO2 inhibits IL-6 and a lot of other stuff we do not understand.

Elevated CO₂ selectively inhibits interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor expression and decreases phagocytosis in the macrophage

Naizhen Wang,^*Khalilah L. Gates,^*Humberto Trejo,^*Silvio Favoreto, Jr.,^†Robert P. Schleimer,^†Jacob I. Sznajder,^*Greg J. Beitel,^‡ and  Peter H. S. Sporn^*§,1

We wish scientists to consider the bigger picture. We can spend centuries collecting thousands of puzzle pieces without ever seeing the whole picture. Taking a step back to see the whole picture and then understanding the thousands of clues seems a lot more practical to us. The whole picture begins with getting the vital signs [RR.,BP.,HR., and Body Temperature. ].

IL6 is disrupted in bipolar illness. IL6 is affected by CO2.