Joanne Webster’s research group at Imperial College London has lately championed an idea that reconciles these and other findings: the effects of Toxo cysts in our brains are due to an increase in an enzyme called tyrosine hydroxylase. This is the basis of the dopamine hypothesis, which Stock believes her research supports.The crucial thing to remember is that dopamine causes increased neural activity. Low levels of added dopamine are beneficial to memory and reflexes. High levels cause uncontrollable thinking and behavior.
Tyrosine hydroxylase is involved in production of the normally-occurring neurotransmitter dopamine. More of the enzyme means more dopamine. This changes behavior of mice, and Webster and Stock extrapolate, people.
Been there, done that. Over and over.
