The brain-stem reticular formation receives collateral fibers from the laterally placed ascending specific sensory pathways. Increased activity in these specific sensory tracts is crucial in producing a change in the pattern of firing of the brain-stem reticular-formation neurons, which in turn produces desynchronization (activation) of the cortical EEG rhythm. The appearance of this desynchronization of EEG activity is coincident with behavioral arousal and increased awareness. Thus, the sensory collaterals leading into the reticular formation form the anatomical pathway by which a sensory stimulus arouses a sleeping individual to wakefulness. Arousal from sleep can also be produced by direct electrical stimulation of the reticular formation, as well as by sensory stimulation.

There is no question that the arousal function is normally mediated by the reticular formation rather than by the specific sensory pathways. If, in experimental animals, the reticular formation is destroyed at a level rostral to the point at which the sensory collaterals project into it, the subject enters an enduring state of coma, for although specific sensory information will reach the cortex over the lateral pathways and sensory systems will continue to fire into the reticular formation, ascending reticular discharges are blocked by the transection from reaching the cerebral cortex. In this situation, evoked potentials, representing specific sensory information provided to the cortex via the lateral afferent pathways, continue to be elicited; but generalized EEG desynchronization of the cortex is not sustained. These facts are of considerable importance, since without generalized cortical activation produced by reticular-formation activity, there can be little or no cortical integration of the sensory information which arrives over the specific pathways. Under these conditions information is probably neither retained by the central nervous system nor integrated with other incoming sensory data or stored perceptions and memories.

If, on the other hand, the specific sensory pathways are cut at a level above the point at which their collaterals enter the reticular formation, cortical arousal and consciousness is still possible, but the animal is awkward in its movements and limited in its abilities, since the cortex is deprived of specific sensory information.

History

The study of the effects on behavior of electrical stimulation of the brain is as old as the study of electricity itself. Count Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), while observing the results of the application of electric currents to his various sense organs, passed the current through his own brain. Fortunately, he survived the experiment. Since that time, but particularly in the present century, many investigators have utilized electric currents to map pathways through the nervous system and to study the effects of stimulation of certain brain areas on behavior. Advances in electronic engineering have made available to the researcher more and more precise instrumentation, and it is now possible to stimulate tiny areas deep within the brain with only minimal damage to neural tissue.

In 1870, G. Fritsch and E. Hitzig reported that an electrical stimulus applied to certain regions of the cerebral cortex could elicit movements of the face, arms, and legs of experimental animals. In 1899, Charles S. Sherrington utilized electrical stimulation to demonstrate the reciprocal innervation of flexor and extensor muscles. Although experiments such as these shed a good deal of light on the functioning of reflex pathways, little was learned about voluntary behavior since exposure of such large areas of the nervous system required extensive restraint and anesthesia. The work of W. R. Hess, however, represented a major technical advance with the introduction of the first practical technique for permanent implantation of electrodes into the brain. The development of these chronic electrodes made possible the study of stimulation effects involving deep structures in awake, unrestrained, unanesthetized animals.

Sleep, wakefulness, and emotion

Using the technique of chronic implanted electrodes, Hess systematically explored the diencephalon of the cat. He has summarized his findings in two recent works (1949; 1954). In brief, Hess observed that stimulation of the massa intermedia of the thalamus resulted in a progressive decrease of activity followed by sleep. The animal could be aroused from this sleep by some external stimulus, but once the external stimulus was removed, the animal returned to sleep. Stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus, however, resulted in immediate wakefulness and a state of excitation. With stronger stimulation in this area, the cat would hiss, bare its teeth and claws, arch its back, and show all the signs of rage and fear. Upon termination of the stimulation, the rage reaction ceased. Moreover, if the cat was provoked during this period of stimulation, a highly organized attack reaction would be directed toward the provocative object. Egger and Flynn (1962) have described a study, however, in which stimulation of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala suppressed the attack reaction elicited by hypothalamic stimulation. [seeEmotion and Sleep.]

Learning

The application of the techniques of intracranial stimulation to the study of the neuropsychology of learning has been a fruitful one. The typical approach has been to compare the performance of experimental organisms on a learning task with and without stimulation of some neural areas. This method has advantages over the traditional lesion technique, which requires elaborate control groups to assess the possible extraneous effects of surgical shock, blood loss, intracranial pressure, etc. In a stimulation study, each animal frequently serves as its own control, since the effects of stimulation are almost always reversible. However, certain learning tasks may necessitate the use of a control group with nonstimulated electrodes. Experiments employing electrical stimulation of the brain to investigate learning are numerous. A few examples of recent studies may serve to illustrate some of the major trends in current research.

Delayed alternation and visual discrimination. Rosvold and Delgado (1956) trained monkeys to perform a delayed-alternation task in which the animals were required to seek a peanut reward under the right food cup on one trial, under the left food cup on the next trial, under the right on the next, etc. A five-second delay was interposed between trials. Failure to alternate responses on successive trials was regarded as an error. The monkeys were also trained to perform a simple visual discrimination. Following stabilization of performance on these tasks, the monkeys were implanted with multiple-lead electrodes. Upon recovery from surgery, the animals were again tested on the delayed-alternation and visual discrimination problems. During a part of the testing session, electrical stimulation was delivered through one of the electrode leads. The experimenters found that performance declined markedly on the delayedalternation test when the lead stimulated was in the caudate nucleus. However, the same stimulation failed to interfere with the visual discrimination task. A later study by Buchwald and others (1961) revealed that stimulation of the caudate nucleus does interfere with acquisition of a visual discrimination task, but does not alter performance once the task has already been learned.

Operant conditioning. In another type of experiment, Knott and others (1960) trained cats to press a lever for meat reward in a modified Skinner box, an apparatus provided with devices, e.g., levers or buttons, whose appropriate manipulation leads to some desired outcome. Electrodes were implanted in a number of deep cerebral structures. Continuous low-intensity stimulation was delivered during the lever-pressing task. The experimenters reported that stimulation of the hippocampus, caudate nucleus, and thalamus failed to alter the leverpressing rate. Stimulation in the septal area, however, resulted in a cessation of response during stimulation. The animals resumed pressing the lever following termination of the stimulation, but only after a prolonged delay. Hypothalamic stimulation generally had the same effect as septal stimulation, except that the post-stimulation delays were shorter. The authors concluded that these data support the notion that certain neural pathways critical to the mechanisms of learning and retention become “occluded” by the stimulation. The data could also be interpreted, however, in terms of interfering emotional responses evoked by stimulation of the hypothalamus and the septal area.

Classical conditioning. A third type of investigation utilizes the classical Pavlovian conditioning paradigm except that both the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US) are presented to the subject by means of implanted electrodes. Doty and Giurgea (1961) implanted electrodes in the motor area of the cerebral cortex of dogs, cats, and monkeys. Stimulation of these electrodes served as the US. The unconditioned response was the particular limb movement that resulted from the stimulation of a direct motorpathway. Stimulation in some other cortical area served as the CS. Six to ten pairings of the CS and the US were made daily. The experimenters were able to obtain clear-cut evidence of conditioned reflexes with cortical stimulation as the US.

Aside from their implications for learning theory, the experiments of Doty and Giurgea are important because they suggest the possibility of studying the electrophysiology of the conditioning mechanisms in a simple form with known and well-defined inputs.

Self-stimulation

In an attempt to study the effects of subcortical stimulation on learning in rats, Olds and Milner (1954) placed a rat with a forebrain electrode in an open field maze. They observed that if the rat received stimulation in a particular place in the maze, it would spend more and more time in that place. The stimulation seemed to have a rewarding effect on the rat’s behavior. Next, they placed the rat in a T maze. The animal learned to go to that arm of the maze in which it was rewarded with brain stimulation. Microscopic examination of the rat’s brain revealed that the electrode tip was in the vicinity of the anterior commissure. Rats used subsequently were trained to deliver the stimulation to themselves by pressing a lever in a Skinner box. These animals would deliver several hundred stimulations per hour to themselves. The stimulation served as the sole reward for pressing the lever; food and water were never present in the box.

Since the original report by Olds and Milner, many of the variables affecting the self-stimulation phenomenon have been explored. Some of the principal variables have been the animal species; the location of the electrodes in the brain; the intensity, frequency, and duration of stimulation; the motivational and emotional state of the organism; and the schedule of reward. In addition, the effects of drugs on self-stimulation have also been studied.

Species. Self-stimulation of the brain has been clearly demonstrated in the following animals: rat., dog, cat, pigeon, monkey, dolphin, guinea pig, gold-fish, and man. At this point, experimenters would be more interested in learning of a vertebrate in which the phenomenon could not be demonstrated than in further additions to the list of positive instances.

The demonstration of self-stimulation in man is of particular interest since this is the only species that can provide verbal reports about the subjective experience of brain stimulation. Sem-Jacobsen and Torkildsen (1960) have reported cases in which electrodes were implanted in the brains of human patients for several months in the course of treatment for Parkinson’s disease. During exploratory stimulation, the experimenters encountered several regions of the forebrain in which the patients seemed to enjoy the stimulation. They would smile or grin and express a desire for repeated stimulation. If given an opportunity to press a button to deliver the stimulation to themselves, the patients would press the button often. Their verbal reports ranged from descriptions of tickling sensations to expressions of satisfaction and euphoria.

Anatomical variables. In general, self-stimulation has been demonstrated in those structures of the brain that form part of the limbic system or have strong anatomical connections with it (Olds 1956). Application of stimulation in purely sensory or motor areas does not appear to have any rewarding effect. Moreover, there are areas in which the effect of the stimulation appears to be punishing, and animals will learn to escape and avoid stimulation in these areas (Brown & Cohen 1959). Many of these negative regions correspond to the areas that, upon stimulation, produce rage and attack reactions.

Within the positive reward system, rates of selfstimulation vary widely from area to area and from species to species. Thus, a rat may self-stimulate 800 to 1,000 times per hour when the locus of stimulation is the septal area, 2,000 times per hour when it is the hypothalamus, and 4,000 times per hour when it is the tegmentum. Furthermore, the reported rates of responding may vary considerably among laboratories because of differences in apparatus. For example, it is possible to obtain higher response rates with a telegraph key lever than with a microswitch lever.

If an animal presses a lever 1,000 times per hour for septal stimulation and 2,000 per hour for hypothalamic stimulation, is it safe to conclude that the hypothalamic stimulation is more rewarding to the animal? An experiment by Hodos and Valenstein (1962) suggests that it may not necessarily be. Rats were given a choice, in a two-lever box, between septal stimulation and hypothalamic stimulation. These were presented at various intensities. When presented with high-intensity septal stimulation on one lever and low-intensity hypothalamic stimulation on the other lever, the animals showed a clear preference for the lever producing septal stimulation once they discovered it, even though their response rates were much higher on the lever producing hypothalamic stimulation. Considering these findings, it would seem hazardous to draw general conclusions about the relative reward values of stimulation in different neural areas based solely upon rate of responding. Directpreference tests at several intensities of stimulation provide data that are less subject to interpretive ambiguities resulting from the interfering influence of motor side-effects produced by the stimulation.

Some general problems

When an experimenter produces a change in behavior by stimulation of a brain area, there is a great temptation to speculate on the possible role of that area in the mechanisms underlying the behavior. However, such speculations should be made cautiously, because the electrical stimulus may not have the same effect on all neural areas. For example, we have seen that stimulation of the caudate nucleus results in a deficit in delayed-alternation performance and that stimulation of the amygdala suppresses rage reactions. These behavioral deficits are the same as the effects of lesions in those neural areas. Therefore, it seems likely that the electrical stimulation had a suppressing effect upon normal function. On the other hand, we have seen that electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus yields eating responses while ventromedial hypothalamic stimulation results in suppression of eating. These effects are the opposite of those observed when lesions are made. Presumably, in this case, the stimulation was augmenting the activity of the feeding areas. Thus, the effects of stimulation studies alone are not sufficient for determining the role that a cerebral structure may play in behavior.

A second and related problem is that of attempting to generalize from the highly unnatural type of stimulation that experimenters introduce into the brain to the normal types of physiological events present in the nervous system. The two may not necessarily have the same effect on neural tissue, and cautious interpretation of data is required. A detailed discussion of the problems of the interpretation of the behavioral effects of electrical stimulation of the brain may be found in a recent paper by Valenstein (1964).

A third problem is that of the possible interaction between brain stimulation and other environmental variables that may be affecting the behavior under study. We have seen that caudate nucleus stimulation will markedly interfere with visual discrimination performance if the animal is still in the process of acquiring the discrimination. However, the effects will be scarcely detectable once the animal has mastered the problem. Similar difficulties may arise in the study of emotional behavior, memory, and perception. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the environmental variables that influence behavior is essential before attempting to study the effects of stimulation on behavior.

History

Now let us return to the history of electrical activity of the brain. Caton (1875), an English physician, was the first to publish an account of the recording of electrical variations from the surface of the exposed brain of the rabbit. His findings were confirmed in a study of the dog by Russian and Polish investigators (see Brazier 1959), during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, but little further use of the phenomenon in interpreting the brain’s activities and functions was made until Hans Berger (1929), a German neuropsychiatrist, published the first report on the recording of the human EEG. Since Berger’s recordings showed predominantly wavelike oscillations, the classical neurophysiologists of this period, being acquainted only with spikelike deflections due to transient electrical potentials observed in peripheral nerves, looked upon his findings with doubt and felt that the waves might result from artifacts rather than brain activity. However, Adrian and Matthews (1934), distinguished electrophysiologists at Cambridge University, England, verified Berger’s findings and put their stamp of approval upon the work. Thus, for the first time it was recognized that at least two types of electrical activity exist in the nervous system: (1) when a nerve or neuron is excited and transmits an impulse, it* is accompanied by a sharp, spikelike negative potential and some wavelike after-potentials; (2) aggregates of neurons with their cell bodies and dendritic processes, such as are found in the cerebral cortex of the brain, give rise to continuous, autonomous electrical changes of wavelike nature.

The spike discharge of the neuron is a discrete event and tends to occur only when the neuron is excited by impulses reaching it from a receptor or another neuron. In contrast the wavelike activity of large numbers of neurons closely arrayed structurally appears not to be dependent upon sensory input or excitation.

It is normal to have an alpha rhythm when awake, relaxed, and not being stimulated. Also, it is normal for the alpha rhythm to be blocked by any type of stimulation which attracts the attention of the subject and alerts him or arouses him from his temporary quiescence or daydreaming. The alpha rhythm quickly recovers from this blocking and continues with its oscillations until another stimulus occurs. If the same, identical stimulus is repeated a number of times at more or less regular intervals, the subject tends to ignore it, and the brain’s response of blocking the alpha rhythm disappears. This state of adaptation or lack of responsiveness is sometimes referred to as habituation. As soon as the quality of the stimulus changes in either intensity, kind, or another characteristic, the blocking of the alpha rhythm will return, as it does in the case of any novel stimulus which attracts attention [seeAttention].

The alpha rhythm, or other characteristics of the EEG, are not significantly correlated with intelligence or personality traits. For references to numerous early studies of this relationship, as well as more detailed descriptions of the EEG, see extensive reviews by Jasper (1937) and Lindsley (1944).

Waking and anesthetic states. As we have seen in the instance of transitions from wakefulness to sleep, variations in the state of consciousness or awareness of one’s environment are correlated with marked changes in the EEG. When a person is alerted, excited, or aroused, EEG activity is low, fast, and not particularly rhythmic; when a person is awake, relaxed, and not very attentive—as in reverie or daydreaming—there are good rhythmic alpha waves; at the onset of true sleep, the alpha waves are displaced by slower waves and spindle bursts at the rate of 14 per second; in deep, quiet sleep without complete relaxation, large, billowy, slow waves are the rule; finally, in the most relaxed state, but with REM and dreaming, there are lowamplitude fast waves again.

During the anesthetic state, in passing from one plane of anesthesia to another, similar sequences occur but vary with the type of anesthetic used. In general, it is believed that in both sleep and the anesthetic state a core structure of the lower brain stem, known as the reticular formation, is depressed or inhibited. The reticular formation can be activated by all types of sensory stimulation; in fact, it is generally referred to as a nonspecific sensory-arousal mechanism, which appears to keep the brain awake and alert, and perhaps even attentive, when properly sensitized to incoming sensory stimuli. It may also be affected by neurohumoral substances and endocrine secretions and by other constituents of the blood stream and cerebrospinal fluid. These physiological and biochemical factors are important in the functioning of all brain and nervous-system cells, and the activity of these neurons is reflected in their electrical activity, of which the EEG provides one measure.

Sensory processes

The most recent development involving the EEG is the recording of average evoked potentials over sensory areas of the brain by means of computer summation of responses that are time-locked to their stimuli; the stimuli are repeated as many as a hundred times in order to build up a reliable average. These responses from sensory areas, and even from association areas, are very small in comparison to the ongoing EEG activity; their voltage generally is of the order of five to ten microvolts, whereas the alpha waves and other EEG activity may be several times larger. Using these computer-averaged responses, the senses of vision, audition, and bodily sensation have been studied (see Sensory Evoked Response in Man 1964). Thus, human sensory experience may be studied by judgmental or psychophysical methods and, at the same time, by electrical recording from the particular area of the brain concerned. Other sensory-related functions have been studied with interesting results. Haider and his colleagues (1964) demonstrated the usefulness of the computer-averaging methods in relation to an experiment on attention and vigilance maintained over time. They found that as attention diminished generally, so that a subject no longer detected certain dim flashes imbedded in a series of brighter flashes with the same percentage of accuracy, the magnitude of the evoked response diminished. As vigilance waned, so did the voltage of the evoked potentials; however, if a subject had a five-minute period in which he detected all interspersed signals, the magnitude of his evoked potentials for that period was as great as at the beginning of the task. In another experiment, Spong and his colleagues (1965) demonstrated that by directing the attention of a subject to a particular class of sensation—vision, for example—and by telling him to ignore audition, even though flashes and clicks alternated as stimuli throughout, the magnitude of the average evoked potential was always greater over the visual area when attention was directed toward visual stimuli and auditory stimuli were ignored; the opposite was true for responses over the auditory area. Thus, there is significant evidence that attention and vigilance have a central response which may now be recorded and studied in relation to psychological set or instruction. In addition, Walter has found by a similar method, using direct-current recording, that giving a subject an instruction and an “expectancy” leads to a build-up of potential until that expectancy is met, either correctly or incorrectly, at which time a discharge occurs (Walter et al. 1964). He calls this a “contingent negative variation” It is a brain process which undoubtedly plays a role in decision making and other higher cognitive functions, and will prove to be a valuable probe for getting at problem solving, thinking, and other functions of a higher level. 

The electroencephalogram has played a very useful role in the hands of the neurophysiologist and neuropharmacologist in the study of the electrical activity of the brain. It has proved to be a very considerable stimulus to brain study in animals and man, because it provided a parameter of measurement not previously possible. The psychologist and neurophysiologist today frequently combine their talents in the study of brain and behavior correlations, and through this work a better understanding of the mechanisms and organization of the brain and nervous system is coming about. Thus, the electroencephalogram is an experimental tool useful in research on the brain, as well as a clinical tool useful in the clinic and hospital.

 

 Treatment Of Epilepsy

 

Natural Epilepsy is a neurological disease that disturbs the electrical functioning of the brain. Natural Epilepsy results in altered consciousness and seizures. The disease is a common one, with as many as 50 million people worldwide who are suffering from it. Though the condition is incurable, proper medication can control it effectively. There are different types of epilepsies, depending on the cause symptoms and the area of seizure. Some epilepsy occurs only during childhood.

 

 

 

Causes:

 

Though the causes of Natural Epilepsy are not discovered, it is believed that hereditary can be a factor. However, epilepsy is a neurological problem, which is totally different from mental problems. Some believe that Natural Epilepsy can occur to a person after he or she receives an injury to the brain through an infection, a stroke, falls, brain tumors etc. Sometimes, infection and illness during pregnancy can also result in triggering epilepsy in the child. Factors like hyperventilation, hypogogia, lack of sleep, constipation, stress and alcohol can lead to neurological disorders that eventually lead to epilepsy.

 

 

 

Symptoms:

 

 

 The most common symptom of Natural Epilepsy is repeated seizures. However, the nature of the seizure varies from one type of epilepsy to the other. In the tonic-clonic type of epilepsy, the patient becomes unconscious; his teeth are clenched, his body stiffens and falls to the ground and starts jerking uncontrollably. This can last up to 2 minutes. On the other hand, patients of the generalized absence epilepsy experience a very brief loss of consciousness (30 seconds or less) but do not fall on the ground. The abnormal jerks are absent and the person stops moving or speaking and stared straight ahead blankly. When the seizure is over, he resumes normal functioning and has no memory of the seizure. On the other hand, in a partial epileptic seizure, the person remains completely conscious and experiences twitches in different parts of the body. Sometimes, the person may also experience peculiar smells, tastes and sounds. Soon, the person finds himself in a dream-like state.

 

 

 

Can Yoga help Epilepsy patient ?

 

Natural Epilepsy can be effectively dealt with through Yoga. The Vedas describe four types of epilepsies and also suggested remedies. They have also pointed out the health factors that cause epilepsy. Different Yogas try to balance these factors.

 

► Pranayama is an effective means to cure epilepsy. It is a deep breathing practice that improves blood circulation, metabolism etc. This diaphragmatic breathing restores normal respiration and thus helps prevent the epilepsy.

 

►There are different types of asanas that can be effective in reducing the chances of epilepsy. These asanas improves blood circulation and calm down the nervous system. Neck exercise, pelvic tilt and chest expansion are helpful.

 Meditation or dhyana reduces stress miraculously. It soothes the mind and helps the body relax. It increases the neurotransmitters that calm down the nervous system. In fact, there has been a lot of research on the effect of meditation on epilepsy and almost all research has shown positive results.

 

 

 

Home Remedies:

 

 

 

•    ► Try to have a positive attitude in life.

 

•    ► Try to stay as relaxed as possible. Try to calm down your mind.

 •    ► Keep a close eye on your diet.

 •    ► Massaging the soles of the feet with sesame or coconut oil before going to bed is a good remedy for Natural Epilepsy.

 Nervous System?

What Is the Role Of the Nervous System?

Introduction

 

 

 

The Nervous system is a complex, organ system with many divisions that help in the operation of the human body. It is considered as a communication network, essential for the working of the body. Moreover, with the help of the brain, this system also controls the actions and reactions of the people. Therefore, it is very important to understand the function of the nervous system and to explore the reason as to why it’s crucial for this system to work properly without any glitches.

 

 

 

 

 

History

 

 

 

This system is usually divided into two parts: the central and the peripheral nervous system. While the Central Nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord, the peripheral component contains special, communication cells called neurons and nerves that work as wires in this network. It serves as a way of transferring messages to the brain from the rest of the body, and from the brain to the rest of the body.

 

 

 

 

 

Features

 

 

 

The role of the nervous system is concerned with the sensation, collection and reaction to the changes inside or outside a body. The sensory receptors inside the body detect changes like sound, light and temperature, whether it’s inside or outside the body. After these changes are detected, they are converted into electrical signals and these electrical signals are, then, all collected to tap into the memory or thoughts of the person. This creates feelings like pain, happiness, sadness, etc. Next, the nervous system responds to these feelings by communicating, through signals, with the muscles and glands in the body. This whole process represents the role of the nervous system and its importance for the human body. Chemical means may also be used to communicate through the nervous system. This system is a way to ensure that the body maintains a safe internal environment and stays within certain beneficial limits. It, indirectly, also helps in psychologically/mentally adapting to the society and adopting appropriate measures of living. Also, it warns the person of any actions that may prove to be harmful to him/her, for example, burning him/herself and informs them of all the actions that are necessary for his/her betterment. The blood flow of the body is also sometimes controlled by the warning signals sent by the nervous system and may lead to an alteration in blood pressure or blood flow in the body. Moreover, it also plays a hand in controlling the heart beat, automatically, by alerting the heartbeat of any unfavorable changes through electrical signals.

 

 

 

 

 

Tips and comments

 

 

 

Thus, it is evident that the nervous system holds a high status amongst the different parts of a body. It is indirectly related to and almost always effects and induces reaction from different parts of the body. Without it, the human body would be deprived of many feelings that serve as aid in everyday living. This system prevents humans from hurting themselves and ensures that a balance is maintained between the environment inside the body and outside the body. Simply putting it, this system is essential for a healthy living.

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a member of the water-soluble family of vitamins. Your body needs vitamin B6 for regular nervous system function, production of normal red blood cells and for protein metabolism. Some people suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

 

Vitamin B6 is found in a wide range of foods, including meat, poultry, legumes, bananas and foods that are fortified with vitamin B6. Adults need 1.3 to 1.7 milligrams (mg) daily to meet their requirements. To give you an idea of how you’d get that amount, you could eat one banana, one baked potato, one-half of a chicken breast and one ounce of nuts through out the course of the day.

 

 

 

Vitamin B6 Deficiency Symptoms

 

People with vitamin B6 deficiency could possibly suffer from inflammation of the skin, a sore tongue, depression, cognitive problems and eventually convulsions. Because vitamin B6 is needed for normal red blood cells, a deficiency could also cause anemia.

 

 

 

What Causes Vitamin B6 Deficiency?

 

A true vitamin B6 deficiency is rare, but people who eat nutrient-poor diets or consume lots of alcohol may have low levels of vitamin B6 in their blood, which may indicate a possible insufficiency. Older adults whose diets have little variety for long periods of time may become deficient in vitamin B6. Alcohol speeds up the loss of vitamin B6 in the body, so alcoholics may be more prone to vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms.

 

 

 

Can You Get To Much Vitamin B6?

 

Vitamin B6 is available as a dietary supplementand in the past had been recommended in large doses of 100 mg per day or more for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, PMS and for reduction of homocysteine (a protein that is often elevated when a person is at a high risk for heart disease). Unfortunately, scientific studies don’t indicate vitamin B6 is effective for either carpal tunnel syndrome or PMS, and although vitamin B6 will reduce homocysteine levels it doesn’t appear to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.Taking more than 100 mg vitamin B6 for a prolonged time can actually result in nerve damage, which is reversible when supplementation is stopped. You don’t need to worry about getting too much vitamin B6 from diet – even with fortified foods – because a normal diet will supply just a few milligrams per day, which is all your body needs.