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Remembrance of things past
“Instead, as the late spring weather grew hotter, Francis' symptoms—especially the inflammation of his eyes—became increasingly serious. He couldn't stand sunlight and found it impossible to see by the glow of a lamp or candle at night. Imprisoned in darkness, his pain was so intense that he seldom rested or slept and if he did drop off was soon woken by the field mice that scampered all over him. Shocked to discover that he was giving way to self pity he concentrated harder on his prayers.” (Adrian House.Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life.Mahwah, New Jersey: Hidden Spring Press, 2000:268.)
Sudden infant death syndrome and serotonin
The aetiology of sudden infant death syndrome has yet to be determined. A recent study from Japan suggests that variations in 5-HT transporter genes may be related to sudden infant death syndrome. Serotonin (5-HT) in the nervous system is a major factor in facilitating the brain centre for respiration. In this study there were significant differences in the genotype distribution and frequency of the 5-HT promoter gene in patients with sudden infant death syndrome. (Pediatrics2001;107:690–2.)
Cholesterol levels and suicide
Recent reports have suggested that a link between low serum total cholesterol and the risk of death from suicide exists. In a study from Canada the mortality experience of the nutrition Canada survey revealed that patients in the lowest quartile of serum total cholesterol concentration had more than six times the risk of committing suicide than the highest. Why serum cholesterol levels are related to the risk of suicide is not known. (Epidemiology …