neurotransmitter acetylcholine for brain fog

Many of us have various degrees of brain fog. Some from tick infections, some had it before. Even low thyroid, even when treated can still do this as well. Long covid, and after covid can do this too. Obviously insomnia also.

So maybe you can correct it, maybe not.

The choline neurotransmitter group are part of this, and supplements can help.

For some reason neurotransmitters are termed Nootropics in the modern world - another way to google this area.

With the pre and procurers, here are four supplement forms in the choline group-

some web quotes with the types:

"What's the difference between choline and acetylcholine?
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released from the neuromuscular junction and from brain. It is formed from choline, a common constituent in fish, liver, and eggs. Choline is also incorporated into cell membranes; membranes may likewise serve as an alternative choline source for acetylcholine synthesis."

"Phosphatidylcholine is a chemical contained in eggs, soybeans, mustard, sunflower, and other foods. It is found naturally in the body in all cells. Phosphatidylcholine is also a source of choline in the body. Phosphatidylcholine is used for ulcerative colitis. There is some scientific research that supports this use."

"Lecithin is a mixture of fats that are essential to cells in the human body. It can be found in many foods, including soybeans and egg yolks. In the diet, lecithin is the main source of choline, a nutrient similar to the B vitamins. Lecithin is converted into acetylcholine, a substance that transmits nerve impulses."

Post Edited (astroman) : 4/18/2024 8:43:29 AM (GMT-8)

dcd2103 said...
I am prescribed mestinon, which increases acetylcholine, for my POTs (which causes bad brain fog). It definitely helps quite a bit w/ a POTs flare.

dcd, You would know this-

Is the only acetylcholine test currently just the acetylcholine receptor antibody test (used in myasthenia gravis D'x)? No way to actually test levels?

I would think they would have a better one by now, would also be also useful in dementia / Az D'xing.

Many people with POTS here over the years. I never had that any more than the general population does from time to time. I did have heart palpitations though, which ended after lyme treatment.

cholinesterase is the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine - eg after a neuron fires the acetylcholine must be broken down to return it to its resting state - so it may fire again
neurons can fire many times a second - so this reaction is taking place on the sub second timescales

so there will be a rather indirect and inverse proportional relationship between levels of this enzyme in the blood and levels of acetylcholine in the brain and perhaps none at all to the overall levels or nutritional status of choline intake

info on the enzyme here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholinesterase

i wonder if the OAT test might shed some light

it tests around 90 metabolites last time i checked ( they keep adding more) and has a whole page of them on neurotransmitters

typical findings in lyme patients is increased quinolinic acid in the serotonin neurotransmitter pathway
i dont recall anything specific on acetylcholine -

maybe have a look on the great plains website

yep - no acetylcholine measurement

this paper may be of interest

paper said...
At present, there is no definitive clinical test that can be used to identify persons who are choline deficient.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430662/

I can't forget to mention plain old MCT oil. In small and frequent doses throughout the day, it was awesome to alleviate the frequent and intermittent spacing out. (Coconut oil worked well, too.)