Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

Baran, Nicole M.

doi:10.1017/s0140525x18001231

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Systems Biology paradigm [5][6][7][8]. A reductionist paradigm is where the intervention is reduced to a single active substance; relies on a single mechanism of action; and reduces the therapeutic target to a singular type of biological molecules, cells, tissues, organs, systems, and/or speci c genes, and has the objective of achieving primarily a single bene cial outcome [5,6]. Considering this, in general pharmaceutical interventions are a reductionist paradigm.…”

Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a review over the last 5 decades would raise questions that even though trillions of dollars have been spent on chronic disease research and therapeutic interventions, have we actually put even a dent in the incidence of chronic degenerative diseases or signi cantly improved the quality and/or length of life by our strict adherence to a reductionist paradigm? [5][6][7] The objective of a systems biological paradigm is to provide nutritional resources that enable the body to create the ideal biological environment to optimize gene expression; enable optimal molecular arrangements and cellular, tissue, organ, and system functions to avail overall health and optimal systemic functionality [7]. A systems biology approach promotes epigenetic corrections and biological recalibration by relying primarily on nutritional strategies to contribute molecular building blocks for synthesis of trillion cells that make up tissues, organs, and systems of the body [6,7].…”

Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Iron-Free VMP35 Multi-nutrient Complex Modulates an Array of Homeostatic Biological Parameters: Promoting Hemoglobinization, Aerobic Metabolism, Viral Immuno-competence, and Inflammatory Regulation

Blum¹,

Downs²,

Bagchi³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Integrity of hemoglobin is a crucial determining factor for the overall health functions. Nutrient repletion therapy should be a fundamental strategy to restore the healthy properties of blood. A unique patent-pending iron-free VMP35 formulation was engineered by our laboratory to restore iron-dependent hemoglobin in anemic cells using a proprietary Prodosome® absorption technology. This formulation, containing an array of nano-emulsified botanical ingredients rich in bioflavonoids, strengthens the structural integrity of connective tissues, and potentiates immune competence, cellular aerobic metabolism, and enhances efficient regulation of inflammatory events. We discuss the intricate aspects of strong vs. fragile immunity and consequential inflammatory responses to convey a deeper understanding of the varied and overly complex sequela of immunological behaviors and events. The effect of the VMP35 is mediated through highly absorbable nutritional/nutrigenomic repletion enabling improvements in the systemic set of functional behaviors. In fact, the iron-free VMP35 facilitates a “Systems Biology Approach” which restores hemoglobin status, reverses anaerobic hypoxia, improves competent immune responsivity, and regulates appropriate and controlled activation of inflammatory sequela. Under these pathogenic circumstances, iron-deficiency anemia has been misconceptualized, and a new nosological term, Chronic Anemia Syndrome, is proposed. The comparative therapeutic rationale of Reductionist vs. Systems Biology approaches is also explained in detail. Methods: The efficacy of the novel therapeutic iron-free VMP35 liquid nutraceutical is detailed in restoring iron-dependent hemoglobin to RBCs and boosting cellular morphology, viability, and immune competence, thereby reducing the need for prolonging inflammatory sequela. Results: This was demonstrated in a previous IRB approved multi-subject human study. In addition, two recent case studies report dramatic restorative benefits of nutrient repletion therapy of the VMP35 on subjects having experienced near-fatal events, which confirmed the findings explained in this manuscript. Conclusions: This novel iron-free VMP35 modulates an array of homeostatic biological parameters such as enhanced hemoglobinization, aerobic metabolism, viral immuno-competence, and inflammatory regulation. Further research, examining mechanistic and beneficial effects in athletic performance, is in progress. Importantly, during these troubled immune challenging times, modulating an array of homeostatic immunological and inflammatory dysfunctions are tantamount to improved population outcomes. Trial Registration: The Clinical investigation in a total of 38 subjects was conducted under an Institutional Review Board (IRB) from the Path Foundation in New York, NY (#13-009 April 25, 2013). The two case studies were done at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, and Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Both studies were retrospectively registered.

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Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Iron-Free VMP35 Multi-nutrient Complex Modulates an Array of Homeostatic Biological Parameters: Promoting Hemoglobinization, Aerobic Metabolism, Viral Immuno-competence, and Inflammatory Regulation

Blum¹,

Downs²,

Bagchi³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Systems Biology paradigm [5][6][7][8]. A reductionist paradigm is where the intervention is reduced to a single active substance; relies on a single mechanism of action; and reduces the therapeutic target to a singular type of biological molecules, cells, tissues, organs, systems, and/or specific genes, and has the objective of achieving primarily a single beneficial outcome [5,6]. Considering this, in general pharmaceutical interventions are a reductionist paradigm.…”

Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reductionist Therapy Vs Systems Biology Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Induction of homeostatic biological parameters in reward deficiency as a function of an iron-free multi-nutrient complex: Promoting hemoglobinization, aerobic metabolism, viral immuno-competence, and neuroinflammatory regulation

Blum

Downs²,

Bagchi

et al. 2020

J Syst Integr Neurosci

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Background: A common neurological condition worldwide is Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) leading to both substance and non-substance addictive behaviors, that must be combatted by integrating both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system biological approaches. Integrity of hemoglobin is a crucial determining factor for the overall health functions. Nutrient repletion therapy should be a fundamental strategy to restore the healthy properties of blood. A unique patent-pending iron-free VMP35 formulation was engineered by our laboratory to restore iron-dependent hemoglobin in anemic cells using a proprietary Prodosome® absorption technology. This formulation, containing an array of nano-emulsified botanical ingredients rich in bioflavonoids, strengthens the structural integrity of connective tissues, and potentiates immune competence, cellular aerobic metabolism, and enhances efficient regulation of inflammatory events. We discuss the intricate aspects of strong vs. fragile immunity and consequential inflammatory responses to convey a deeper understanding of the varied and overly complex sequela of immunological behaviors and events. The effect of the VMP35 is mediated through highly absorbable nutritional/nutrigenomic repletion enabling improvements in the systemic set of functional behaviors. In fact, the iron-free VMP35 facilitates a "Systems Biology Approach" which restores hemoglobin status, reverses anaerobic hypoxia, improves competent immune responsivity, and regulates appropriate and controlled activation of general and neuro-inflammatory sequela. Under these pathogenic circumstances, iron-deficiency anemia has been misconceptualized, and a new nosological term, Chronic Anemia Syndrome, is proposed. The comparative therapeutic rationale of Reductionist vs. Systems Biology approaches is also explained in detail. Methods:The efficacy of the novel therapeutic iron-free VMP35 liquid nutraceutical is detailed in restoring iron-dependent hemoglobin to RBCs and boosting cellular morphology, viability, and immune competence, thereby reducing the need for prolonging inflammatory sequela.Results: This was demonstrated in a previous IRB approved multi-subject human study. In addition, two recent case studies report dramatic restorative benefits of nutrient repletion therapy of the VMP35 on subjects having experienced near-fatal events, which confirmed the findings explained in this manuscript.Conclusions: This novel iron-free VMP35 modulates an array of homeostatic biological parameters such as enhanced hemoglobinization, aerobic metabolism, viral immuno-competence, and inflammatory regulation. Further research, examining mechanistic and beneficial effects in athletic performance, is in progress. Importantly, during these troubled immune challenging times, modulating an array of homeostatic immunological and inflammatory dysfunctions are tantamount to improved population outcomes. Trial registration:The Clinical investigation in a total of 38 subjects was conducted under an Institutional Review Board

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“…These examples illustrate the futility of attempting to map addiction to brain function independently of the relations between subjective symptoms and the broader environmental context. By extension, this may account for the poor predictive validity and explanatory power of animal models of psychiatric disorders, including addiction .…”

Section: Network Models Expose the Limited Value Of Animal Models Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Are animal models of addiction useful?

Field

Kersbergen

2019

Addiction

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Background Pre‐clinical research involving non‐human animals has made important contributions to our understanding of risk factors for addiction, neuroadaptations that follow chronic drug exposure and to the development of some efficacious pharmacotherapies for addiction. Despite these contributions, we argue that animal models of addiction have impeded progress in our understanding of addiction and its treatment in humans. Argument First, the majority of pharmacological treatments that were initially developed using animal models have failed to prove effective for the treatment of addiction in humans, resulting in a huge waste of resources. Secondly, we demonstrate that prevailing animal models that portray addiction as a disorder of compulsion and habit cannot be reconciled with observations that psychoactive drug use in humans is a goal‐directed operant behaviour that remains under the control of its consequences, even in people who are addicted. Thirdly, addiction may be a uniquely human phenomenon that is dependent on language, which necessarily limits the validity of animal models. Finally, we argue that addicted brains must be understood as one component of broader networks of symptoms and environmental and social factors that are impossible to model in laboratory animals. Conclusions A case can be made that animal models of addiction have not served us well in understanding and treating addiction in humans. It is important to reconsider some widely held beliefs about the nature of addictive behaviour in humans that have arisen from the zeal to translate observations of laboratory animals.

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Reductionist thinking and animal models in neuropsychiatric research

Cited by 4 publications

References 88 publications

An Iron-Free VMP35 Multi-nutrient Complex Modulates an Array of Homeostatic Biological Parameters: Promoting Hemoglobinization, Aerobic Metabolism, Viral Immuno-competence, and Inflammatory Regulation

An Iron-Free VMP35 Multi-nutrient Complex Modulates an Array of Homeostatic Biological Parameters: Promoting Hemoglobinization, Aerobic Metabolism, Viral Immuno-competence, and Inflammatory Regulation

Induction of homeostatic biological parameters in reward deficiency as a function of an iron-free multi-nutrient complex: Promoting hemoglobinization, aerobic metabolism, viral immuno-competence, and neuroinflammatory regulation

Are animal models of addiction useful?

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